> In 1993, which of the following poets recited their poem at Bill Clinton'spresidential inauguration?> Considering Maya Angelou, Richard Blanco, Elizabeth Alexander and Amanda Gorman,the answer is: Maya Angelou. Photo credit: public domain.In 1993, Maya Angelou became the second poet ever torecite a poem at a presidential inauguration when she read her poem "On thePulse of Morning." The first was Robert Frost, who recited "The Gift Outright"at John F. Kennedy's inauguration in 1961. To date, only four presidents havehad poets read at their inaugurations.Born Marguerite Annie Johnson, Dr. Maya Angelou was never named an officialUnited States Poet Laureate, but few have reached her level of culturalsignificance. Her verses are at the very heart of the American experience, evendespite the fact that she never set out to be a poet. Angelou's incrediblydefiant and adventurous life left a significant footprint in American culture,even decades after the fact. Although Angelou rose to prominence with the release of the publication I KnowWhy the Caged Bird Sings, her life was marked by civil rights activist work,theatrical and musical pursuits, and filmmaking long before that. Aftergraduating from George Washington High School in San Francisco, Angelou gavebirth to her son, Guy, before becoming the first Black American streetcarconductor. She explained[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-people/wp/2014/03/12/why-maya-angelou-wanted-to-become-a-street-car-conductor/] to Oprah Winfrey, about the position: > “I saw women on the street cars with their little changer belts. They had capswith bibs on them and form-fitting jackets. I loved their uniforms. I said thatis the job I want.”Yet, this achievement is one in a long line of firsts for the legendary poet andactivist. Angelou went on to join the Harlem Writers Guild in 1950, alongsideother significant writers such as James Baldwin. After hearing Martin LutherKing speak, Angelou decided to get involved in the fight for civil rights. Shetook on a position as northern coordinator of Dr. King's SCLC (SouthernChristian Leadership Conference), which she continued until moving to Africawith her son in 1962. After freelance and editing work in Ghana and Cairo,Angelou returned to the United States and was quickly encouraged by Baldwin andRobert Loomis, an editor at Random House, to write an autobiography. Angelou'swork, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, was an instant success. It won theNational Book Award, and became a staple in universities for its discussion ofrace, abuse and violence. Watch legendary poet and activist Maya Angelou deliver the Clinton's inauguralpoem below.