Dr. Maya Angelou's latest book, Mom & Me & Mom, chronicles the deepest personal story of her life: The relationship with her mother, Vivian Baxter—a former nurse who ran her own gambling club, pool hall and boarding house. She was as fiery as she was nurturing. Dr. Angelou called her Lady.

Like a lot of mothers and daughters, their relationship was powerful yet complicated. When Dr. Angelou stopped speaking after she was sexually assaulted at age 7, Vivian sent her and her brother to live with their grandmother in Rural Stamps, Arkansas. When Maya turned 13, Vivian called them home to San Francisco. It was at that time Dr. Angelou truly got to know her mother.

Dr. 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. Watch below to see how her mother encouraged her to persevere—and find out how Vivian made sure her daughter was safe at work during early-morning shifts.



Dr. Angelou says that to describe her mother "would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power." One particular story from Dr. Angelou's life brings that to light. Watch below to find out how Vivian led the charge to rescue young Maya from an abusive boyfriend, who was holding her against her will for days:



Though Dr. Angelou says Vivian was a "terrible" mother for young children, she was a "fantastic" mother for young adults. When Dr. Angelou was 22 years old, Vivian told her something that changed her life forever. Watch below to find out what it was:

May 12: "Oprah & Dr. Maya Angelou, Part One"
In part one of this special interview, Oprah sits down with her beloved mentor, author Dr. Maya Angelou. Discussing her latest book Mom & Me & Mom, Dr. Angelou delves into one of the deepest personal stories of her life: her relationship with her mother.

May 19: "Oprah & Dr. Maya Angelou, Part Two"
Oprah's heart-to-heart conversation continues with acclaimed author, Dr. Maya Angelou. Discussing her latest book, Mom & Me & Mom, Dr. Angelou reveals how her tough, but tender-hearted mother transformed her life. Plus, she shares her insights on aging brilliantly, and how love can liberate you.

May 26: "The Bigger Picture with Oprah, the Rev. Ed Bacon, Elizabeth Lesser & Mark Nepo"
Join Oprah and three dynamic thought leaders for the first installment of 'The Bigger Picture,' a Super Soul Sunday panel discussion about today's top global headlines, bringing unique and thoughtful perspective to world news topics ranging from prescription drugs to terrorism, gun violence, and our fascination with celebrity culture.

June 2: "Oprah & Dr. Brian Weiss: Reincarnation, Past Lives and Miracles"
Groundbreaking psychiatrist and best-selling author of "Many Lives, Many Masters" tells Oprah of how he came to practice past life regression therapy.

June 9: "Oprah & Karen Armstrong, Part One"
Former Roman Catholic nun and best-selling religious historian Karen Armstrong, who created TED's Charter for Compassion, reveals her life story and why she is on a mission to build greater compassion in the world.

June 16: "Oprah & Coach Phil Jackson"
Widely considered one of the greatest American basketball coaches in history, 11 time NBA Championship coach Phil Jackson opens up to Oprah like you've never seen him before, talking about his strict upbringing, his coaching philosophy as it relates to life lessons and his battle with cancer.

June 23: "Oprah & Grammy-Award Winner India.Arie: Spiritual Awakening"
Grammy Award-winning musician and songstress India.Arie sits down with Oprah for a truly spiritual and heart-opening conversation where she reveals her downward spiral after being shut out of her first Grammy nominations. Arie talks about what was holding her back and how she broke through. Plus, Arie performs a very special song from her new album.

June 30: "Oprah & Grammy-Award Winner India.Arie: How to Break Through"
The India.Arie conversation continues as she addresses a recent controversy that landed her in the headlines. She explains her spiritual awakening in Hawaii, talks about love relationships and why she chose to trust her intuition.

It's a simple, yet powerful lesson, Oprah's friend and mentor Dr. Maya Angelou taught her many years ago: "When you know better, you do better." Find out why Oprah says these words are freeing for anyone who's ever made a mistake.

Watch the first of Oprah's two-part interview with Dr. Maya Angelou this Sunday at 11 a.m ET/PT on OWN. You can also join our worldwide simulcast at Oprah.com, Facebook.com/SuperSoulSunday or Facebook.com/OWNTV.

Almost every evening, says Dr. Maya Angelou, friends drop by about dinnertime. "I wonder why?" she says with a smile and that famous laugh. There is no mystery, of course, because Dr. Angelou is known for her good cooking and expansive hospitality, which means there are always people around her table.

"You feel special when you cook for others," she says. "And you feel special when it's done for you."

Dr. Angelou says she learned how to cook by watching her mother and grandmother. When her mother and grandmother cooked, she recalls, it never seemed like work, and yet platters of food, beautifully presented, would appear on the table and uplift the spirits of guests. It's a precious lesson that she learned from the women in her family and that makes her own table a most welcoming one.

This Sunday, celebrate the women in your life. Invite them over to start the day with our Mother's Day premiere with Dr. Angelou, and serve them a special brunch with dishes straight from her kitchen. Get five recipes below!

• Mixed Salad with Feta and Golden Raisins
• Buttermilk Biscuits
• Smothered Chicken
• Banana Pudding
• Caramel Cake

Need drink recipes, decor ideas or games to play? We've got you covered! Check out our complete brunch kit.