Awards
| Year | Honor | Notes | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Chubb Fellowship | Given by Yale University, provides the recipient with an opportunity to make a public address open to the Yale and New Haven communities, as well as a meal, reception, or seminar with groups of students and faculty. | |
| 1971 | Coretta Scott King Honor | Given to African-American authors and illustrators of books for children and young people. | |
| 1972 | Pulitzer Prize Nomination | For Angelou's first book of poetry, Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Diiie | |
| 1973 | Tony Award Nomination | For her role in the Broadway play Look Away. | |
| 1975–76 | Member, American Revolution Bicentennial Council | Appointed by President Gerald Ford. Council developed and planned activities and events celebrating the 200th anniversary of the American Revolution. | |
| 1975 | Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center Resident | Competitive residency program housed at the foundation's property in Bellagio, Italy in which scholars and artists from all over the world work on, for a period of four weeks, projects of their own choosing. | |
| 1976 | Ladies' Home Journal "Woman of the Year in Communication" Award | Yearly award given by the magazine. | |
| 1977 | Member, Presidential Commission for International Women's Year | Appointed by President Jimmy Carter, the commission was established to make recommendations to end barriers to women's equality in the U.S. | |
| 1981 | Reynold's Professor of American Studies, Wake Forest University | Lifetime appointment. | |
| 1983 | Ladies' Home Journal "Top 100 Most Influential Women" | Yearly award given by the magazine. | |
| 1983 | Matrix Award | Given by the New York Women in Communication to women who excel in the field of communication. | |
| 1984 | Member, North Carolina Arts Council | Committee that gives recommendations to the state's art counsel, especially its policies regarding the arts. | |
| 1986 | Fulbright Program 40th Anniversary Distinguished Lecturer | Recognition by the U.S. Department of State for African Americans who have contributed to "increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries ..." | |
| 1987 | The North Carolina Award in Literature | Highest honor bestowed by the state of North Carolina; recognizes residents for contributions in scholarship, research, the fine arts, and public leadership. | |
| 1990 | Golden Plate Award, Academy of Achievement | Given for accomplishments in the sciences, business, industry, arts, literature, sports, entertainment, and public service. | |
| 1990 | Candace Award, National Coalition of 100 Black Women | Given to African-American women for leadership and achievement. | |
| 1991 | Langston Hughes Medal | Awarded to African-American writers who explore their cultural heritage. | |
| 1992 | Horatio Alger Award | Yearly award to those "who have overcome adversity and made significant contributions in their fields". | |
| 1992 | Distinguished Woman of North Carolina | Given by the North Carolina Council for Women to women who make major contributions in the fields of the arts, business, education, government, recreation, and volunteerism. | |
| 1992 | Crystal Award | Honors women who have helped expand the role of women in entertainment. | |
| 1993 | Inaugural Poet | Named for reading her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" at President Bill Clinton's inauguration. | |
| 1993 | Arkansas Black Hall of Fame | Part of the first group of those native to Arkansas honored as role models for young people. | |
| 1993 | Grammy, "Best Spoken Word Album" for "On The Pulse of Morning" | First Grammy, for inaugural poem | |
| 1994 | Rollins College Walk of Fame | Stone dedicated on campus walkway made up of rocks and bricks from the homes of over 600 historical figures. | |
| 1994 | Spingarn Medal | Given by the NAACP for outstanding achievement by an African American. | |
| 1995 | Frank G. Wells American Teachers Award | Recognizes those outside the teaching profession who teach. | |
| 1995 | Grammy, "Best Spoken Word or Non-Musical Album" | For Angelou's performance of her poem Phenomenal Woman. | |
| 1996 | American Ambassador | Given by UNICEF to assist with their fundraising efforts. | |
| 1997 | NAACP Image Award | Honors African Americans' accomplishments in film, television, music, and literature, and for Angelou's work in Nonfiction. | |
| 1997 | Homecoming Award | Given every two years by the Oklahoma Center for Poets and Writers to authors from the south and southwest. | |
| 1998 | Alston/Jones International Civil and Human Rights Award | Bestowed by the International Civil Rights Center and Museum in Greensboro, North Carolina, honoring individuals who have contributed to the Civil Rights movement. | |
| 1998 | National Women's Hall of Fame | Inducted for making contributions to society and for the freedom and progress of women. | |
| 1999 | Christopher Award | The Christophers' annual media award, given to Angelou for her directorial debut (Down in the Delta). | |
| 1999 | Shelia Award | Given by the Tubman African American Museum to "extraordinary black women of achievement". | |
| 2000 | National Medal of Arts | Selected by President Bill Clinton, given by the National Council on the Arts to Americans who have contributed to the arts and culture. | |
| 2002 | Lifetime Achievement Award | Given as part of the Ethnic Multicultural Media Awards (EMMAs) presented at the annual Hay Festival in Wales. | |
| 2002 | Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album, "A Song Flung Up to Heaven" | For the audio book of Angelou's final autobiography. | |
| 2004 | Charles Evans Hughes Award | Presented by the National Conference for Community and Justice for civic and humanitarian contributions. | |
| 2005 | Heart's Day Honoree | Presented during Howard University English Department's annual celebration and conference. | |
| 2006 | Mother Teresa Award | Presented by the St. Bernadette Institute of Sacred Art in Albuquerque, New Mexico, after being nominated by the public at large. | |
| 2007 | Martha Parker Legacy Award | Given by the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance studio in Denver; attendees of the ceremony were served dishes from Angelou's book Hallelujah! The Welcome Table. | |
| 2008 | Voice of Peace award | First recipient of award presented by the Hope for Peace and Justice Center in Dallas; also in honor of Angelou's 80th birthday. | |
| 2008 | Gracie Allen Award (Gracie) | Honors accomplishments in the media; for Angelou's radio show on XM Radio. | |
| 2008 | Marian Anderson Award | Honors "artists whose leadership benefits humanity". | |
| 2008 | Lincoln Medal | Presented by Ford's Theatre to those who exemplify the legacy and character embodied by President Abraham Lincoln. | |
| 2009 | Literary Award | Given by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association, recognizing excellence in adult fiction and nonfiction written by African Americans. | |
| 2010 | The U.S.' highest civilian honor; awarded by President Barack Obama. | Presidential Medal of Freedom | |
| 2012 | Black Cultural Society Award | Given by Elon University in North Carolina, for humanitarian contributions for the promotion of world cultures. |
Read more about this topic: List Of Awards And Nominations Received By Maya Angelou