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Remembering Maya Angelou: Her 2011 KPLU Interview

KNKX Public Radio | By Bellamy Pailthorp,

Ed Ronco

Published May 28, 2014 at 8:08 AM PDT

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Maya Angelou answers questions at her portrait unveiling at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., on April 5. Angelou died May 28, at age 86.

Paul Morigi / AP Images for National Portrait Gallery

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President Barack Obama kisses author and poet Maya Angelou after awarding her the Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., in 2011.

Charles Dharapak / AP File Photo

Poet and author Maya Angelou died today at age 86. Her autobiography "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" broke new ground with its descriptions of overcoming racism and trauma in the South. Throughout her life, Angelou was celebrated for her words. She shared a few of those words with KPLU's Bellamy Pailthorp, in a 2011 interview we're reposting here:

Here's more on Maya Angelou's life.

Angelou had been scheduled to appear in Seattle in February of 2011, but canceled the appearance in order to receive the Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama. She spoke to KPLU ahead of her rescheduled appearance in March of that year.