Therefore was new documents out-of Angelou's lives you to definitely resonated that have their audience and you may earned their a myriad of awards, together with about three Grammy honors, brand new Presidential Medal of Independence, and you can a host of honorary levels.

At the 8 yrs . old, she try raped from the this lady mother's date. Shortly after becoming convicted, Angelou's abuser is discover defeated to demise. The brand new after garrulous lady regarding Press, Arkansas, silenced by herself for pretty much five years, believing that their voice had murdered the man because the she understood your so you're able to this lady family relations. Instead, she memorized poetry throughout the the lady silence, rearranging cadences and reciting Shakespearean sonnets within her lead.