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A Very Special Throwback Thursday With Maya Angelou and Friends

Maya Angelou becomes first African-American, first woman and second inaugural poet.

Inaugurations always take place on chilly mornings, but on Jan. 20, 1993, the nation was warmed by the inspiring and hopeful words of poet, author and civil rights activist Maya Angelou as she read "On the Pulse of Morning," which she'd written for President Bill Clinton.

Angelou, who died Wednesday at age 86, was the first African-American and the first woman inaugural poet. In addition, she was just the second poet to read at a presidential inauguration since Robert Frost did so for President John F. Kennedy in 1961.

The historic moment was celebrated in this image of Dionne Warwick, Maxine Waters, Johnnetta Betsch Cole, Maya Angelou, Cicely Tyson and Alexis Herman.

"Maya was a wise and spiritual woman who taught me valuable lessons about life and did not hesitate to compliment or criticize anyone," said Rep. Maxine Waters, who shared this photo. "She once said, 'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.' Indeed, she truly left her mark on all who knew her and I know her presence will be missed."

Follow Joyce Jones on Twitter: @BETpolitichick.

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(Photo: Moneta Sleet, Jr./EBONY Collection/Johnson Publishing Company)

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