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How Dr. Maya Angelou Became San Francisco's First Black Streetcar Conductor

Season 4 Episode 410
Aired on 05/12/2013 | CC tv-14
Editor's note: We were deeply saddened to learn of Dr. Maya Angelou's passing. The following is from her May 2013 appearance on "Super Soul Sunday."

Dr. Maya Angelou says the love of her mother, Vivian Baxter, encouraged her to live a life full of pizzazz. It was also that love that helped Dr. Angelou to become the first black streetcar conductor in San Francisco at age 16. "I loved the uniforms," Dr. Angelou says. "So I said, 'That's a job I want.'" When she went to get an application, Dr. Angelou says, the staff refused to give her one. Find out how her mother encouraged her to persevere. Then, see how Vivian made sure her daughter was safe at work during her early-morning shifts.