Maya Angelou becomes the first black woman to appear on US coin. The coin was rolled out by US Mint as a part of the American Women Quarters Programme.

About Maya Angelou

Maya was raped by her mother’s boyfriend at the age of seven. The latter was beaten to death by her uncles. Maya became silent after the tragedy. During her silence she started writing. She is known for her speaking voice and lyrical prose. She is an African American. She died at the age of 86 in 2014.

Literary Works

She has produced seven autobiographies, several books of poetry, three books of essays. Her autobiographies brought her fame. Her first autobiography “I know the Caged Bird Sings” fetched international recognition.

About the Coin

The coin has Maya on one side and the US first President George Washington on the other side. Maya is shown along an eagle in the coin.

Awards won by Maya

She has received more than 30 honorary degrees. In 1992, she read the “On the Pulse of Morning” at the inauguration of President Clinton. In 2010, President Obama presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2013, she won the Literarian Award