When Maya Angelou received the Presidential Medal of Freedom

On this day in 2010, writer, poet, and activist Maya Angelou was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Then-President Barack Obama spoke admiringly, at that time, of her "determination to fight for civil rights and inspire every one of us to recognize and embrace the possibility and potential we each hold."

Literary Hub has the full text of Obama's speech on Angelou, and you can additionally watch Angelou respond to the award on YouTube.

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• Meet the first-ever Maya Angelou Book Award winner