Maya Angelou is one of the world’s most revered writers and advocates of equal rights. She dedicated her life to promoting civil rights and improving the lives of all people, especially those of color. With her unique writing style consisting of both poetry and prose, Angelou was able to move and inspire people to strive for greatness. One of the many awards she was given in her impressive lifetime was the Presidential Medal Of Freedom and the W.E.B. Du Bois Medal.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor, which is awarded to individuals who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors”. In 2011, President Barack Obama bestowed the honor upon Maya Angelou in recognition of her tremendous contributions in the advancement of civil rights, literature and the spoken word.
The W.E.B. Du Bois Medal is the highest honor of the African Academy of Sciences and Harvard University’s Hutchins Center for African and African American Research. The medal is given to individuals who have made “outstanding contributions to African and African-American history and culture, and more generally, to people of African descent throughout the world.” The medal was presented to Angelou in 2014 and is still held in highest regard by the academy.
Another notable award bestowed upon Angelou was the Langston Hughes Medal in 1995. This award was given in honor of the legendary poet and activist Langston Hughes. The medal is presented to individuals who strive to “affirm the power of arts and literature to comprehend and confront human experience, and help set a course to a brighter future’. This award was perfect for Angelou’s commitment to the African-American community and her writing which boldly explores themes of racism, love, and identity.
Sidney Poitier Pilgrim Of Justice Award
The Sidney Poitier Pilgrim of Justice Award is given to individuals who “exhibit extraordinary courage in the stand for civil and human rights”. This award was presented to Maya Angelou in 1998 to commend her fearless and tireless activism in support of human rights. The award came with a $50,000 cash prize, which Angelou stated she donated to charities in Africa.
In 2008, Angelou was awarded the highest honor given by the National Book Foundation: The Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community. This award was presented to Angelou “for her extraordinary efforts in promotion of the literary arts, including the founding of the phenomenal South African Women’s Writers Workshop”. The workshop has become a pillar in South Africa, shown its commitment to empowering women through education and the literary arts.
Many other awards Angelou was presented throughout her lifetime, including the PEN/Voelcker Award for Poetry, the Langston Hughes Medal and the National Medal of Arts. These awards highlight Angelou’s immense contributions to the literary world, promote peace and equality, and recognize her outstanding achievements as a poet, novelist, civil rights advocate, lecturer and overall leader.
Grammy Award For Best Spoken Word Album
In 1994, Maya Angelou won a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for her “On the Pulse of Morning”. She was the first African-American woman to be given the honor and the only woman to receive a Grammy for a spoken word album. On the Pulse of Morning was Angelou’s most popular work and was composed for President Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1993. It is a powerful performance to this day and a remarkable example of how Angelou used her unique writing style and mastery of the spoken word to inspire and move the world.
Daystar Award For Excellence
In 2005, Angelou was presented with the Daystar Award for Excellence, an honor given to those who demonstrate “exemplary scholarship, unequaled knowledge, true kindness, and a generous spirit”. The Daystar Award for Excellence has only been received by twenty-one individuals since its establishment in 1973, and Angelou was chosen for her dedication to civil rights and her achievements in both literary and spoken word.
Nebula Award For Lifetime Achievement
One of the most prestigious awards in the literary world is the Nebula Award for lifetime achievement, which was presented to Maya Angelou in 1997. The Nebula Award was created by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America to honor “the outstanding science fiction and fantasy fiction and non-fiction achievements of the preceding year”. Angelou received this award for her works of literature which “have illuminated fundamental and universal truths about the human condition, and explored the power of words to change minds and create meaning”. Her work has been honored countless times and she continues to have a lasting impact and inspire future generations.
The Presidential Medal Of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor bestowed by the United States. It is presented to recognize individuals for their exceptional contributions to “cultural endeavors, world peace, or other significant endeavors”. Maya Angelou was presented with the honor in 2011 by President Barack Obama in recognition of her commitment to civil rights and impactful works of literature and spoken word. Angelou’s work has been celebrated across the world and this award was the nation’s way of honoring her immense influence and achievements.
Horatio Alger Award Of Excellence
Maya Angelou also received the Horatio Alger Award of Excellence which is regarded as one of the most prestigious awards given to individuals who have “overcome significant personal challenges during their lifetime.” Angelou was presented this award in 1994 for her courageous accounts of her struggles growing up and dedication to improving the lives of others. The award acknowledges Angelou’s strength and determination in the face of adversity and her lasting commitment to justice and equality.
Robert F Kennedy Award
In 2008, Angelou received the Robert F Kennedy award for her activism and her dedication to “eradicating social and economic injustice”. The award is given to individuals or organizations who have distinguished themselves in the efforts to work toward “improving the human condition” and fighting for equal rights. Angelou was rewarded this award in particular to recognize her work in the civil rights movement and her tireless efforts to improve people’s lives.
