First Lady Michelle Obama is scheduled to speak at Maya Angelou‘s memorial service on Saturday. The White House revealed Thursday that Obama will honor the literary pioneer at her private Wake Forest University memorial service in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The civil rights activist died on May 28 at the age of 86 in her Winston-Salem home. The cause of death has not been revealed.
The President and Mrs. Obama described Angelou as a “fierce friend,” whose work heavily influenced them and their families. Pres. Barack Obama‘s sister, Maya, was named after Angelou. Angelou’s relationship with the Obamas began during the 2008 presidential campaign. Angelou, first a supporter of Hillary Clinton, endorsed Obama when Clinton dropped out of the race. In 2012, Mrs. Obama presented Angelou with an award at the BET Honors, calling her a “she-ro.”
Although the ceremony is closed to the public, fans can stream the service online at here when it begins at 12:30 p.m. on June 7, 2014.