Maya Angelou - poet, actress, inspiration - passes away at 86

Maya Angelou - poet, novelist and actress - whose work defied a simple label, has has passed away at the age of 86.

In 2011, President Barack Obama awarded her with the Medal of Freedom, the country's highest civilian honor.

Often referred to as Dr. Angelou, the professor never went to college. She has more than 30 honorary degrees and taught American studies for years at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem.

Many first came to know her work when she read her poem On the Pulse of Morning at President Clinton's first inaugural in 1993. I have this poem sitting on my desk.

But today, the Rock cries out to us, clearly, forcefully,
Come, you may stand upon my
Back and face your distant destiny,
But seek no haven in my shadow.
I will give you no hiding place down here.

You, created only a little lower than
The angels, have crouched too long in
The bruising darkness
Have lain too long
Face down in ignorance.
Your mouths spilling words

Armed for slaughter.
The Rock cries out to us today, you may stand upon me,
But do not hide your face.