Mayan Angelou, born Marguerite Ann Johnson (St. Louis, April 4, 1928 – 2014) was is an American poet, writer, actress, director and activist, an outstanding, influential figure in the American civil rights movement. In 2001 the magazine Ladies Home Journal included her among the 30 most powerful women in America. Her books have been translated into many world languages, and the most famous is most translated I know Why the Bird in the Cage Sings (1969) was also nominated for the National Literary Award. She also wrote essays, screenplays, plays, poetry and even cookbooks. Poetry book Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'Fore I Die (1971) was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Tried it in many forms of art and education, for which she received numerous recognitions and national awards. She was friends with the most influential people of his time, from Martin Luther King, to Oprah and Barack Obama, and even today considers him a role model for young people.