Maya Angelou Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom

Maya Angelou was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on February 15, 2011 by President Barak Obama.

Dr. Angelou also received the Presidential Medal for the Arts in 2000 and the Lincoln Medal in 2008. And in 2012, First Lady Michelle Obama had the opportunity to present her with the Literary Arts Award at the BET Honors ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Source: White House blog
“

By holding on even amid cruelty and loss, and then expanding to a sense of compassion, an ability to love – by holding on to her humanity, she has inspired countless others who have known injustice and misfortune in their own lives.”

— Barak Obama
Source: White House blog