Following her historic flight, Jemison noted that society should recognize how much both women and members of other minority groups can contribute if given the opportunity and received numerous of accolades, including several honorary doctorates. Jemison current projects include several that focus on improving healthcare in Africa and advancing technology in developing countries.
Maya Angelou was born on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. Writer and civil rights activist, Angelou is known for her 1969 memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which made literary history as the first nonfiction best-seller by an African-American woman. Angelou’s writing muse started after returning to the United States in where Angelou was urged by friends and fellow writer James Baldwin to write about her life experiences. Her efforts resulted in the enormously successful 1969 memoir about her childhood and young adult years, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. The poignant work also made Angelou an international star. After experiencing health issues for several years, Maya Angelou died on May 28, 2014, at her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina; leaving a legacy of works that will never be