Fans of the late great Dr. Maya Angelou are taking to social media to celebrate what would have been her 90th birthday.
The poet, author and civil rights activist, who inspired millions of people with her work, is being honored for her contributions to American society.
Google’s latest doodle celebrates the icon by having Angelou, Alicia Keys, Oprah Winfrey and other notable figures recite her iconic 1978 poem “And Still I Rise.”
Today's #GoogleDoodle celebrates Dr. Maya Angelou's 90th birthday! Set to her poem #StillIRise, the video Doodle includes her own voice along with the voices of other individuals whose lives she has inspired. View the full experience here: https://t.co/5yNw2jNomx pic.twitter.com/5BYItwm4xl
— Maya Angelou (@DrMayaAngelou) April 4, 2018
Angelou, born Marguerite Annie Johnson in St. Louis, MO, wrote and spoke about her experiences with racism and sexual assault and had lent her voice as a leading advocate for issues that affect women, in particular, Black women.
She became the second poet to read a poem at a presidential inauguration when she recited “On The Pulse of Morning” for President Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1993.
In 2011, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama.
Happy Birthday @DrMayaAngelou! #EBONYfamily what's your favorite literature written by the timeless figure of black female empowerment. 🤔 VOTE now!
— EBONY MAGAZINE (@EBONYMag) April 4, 2018
She died in May 2014 at the age of 86.