SuiteSTL Tribute To African American STL Natives

Maya Angelou was born in St. Louis on April 4th 1928. After her parents separation when she was just a toddler she was sent to live with her grandmother in Arkansas. She remained there until her father came and returned Angelou back to her mother in St. Louis. Although childhood tragedies like being molested by her mother's boyfriend (who was later murdered) Angelou stopped talking out of fear that her voice was the reason he died because she told on him. In her autobiography I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, she speaks of her life in an effort to reveal some of her past demons. The book brought her national success. Since then Angelou has written a serious of autobiographies as well as poetry, plays, and public speaking. Her collection of poems in Just Give Me A Cool Drink Of Water Fore I Diiie was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. She has more than thirty honorary degrees and she was given a Presidential Medal Of Arts. Here at SuiteSTL we would like to honor Ms. Angelou for all her many accomplishments and for being a classy lady.