 Angelou was the first poet to read an inaugural poem since Robert Frost read his poem " The Gift Outright " at President John F. Kennedy 's inauguration in 1961 , and the first Black and woman . When it was announced that Angelou would read one of her poems at Clinton 's inauguration , many in the popular press compared her role as inaugural poet with that of Frost 's , especially what critic Zofia Burr called their " representativeness " , or their ability to speak for and to the American people . The press also pointed to the nation 's social progress that a Black woman would " stand in the place of a white man " at his inauguration , and praised Angelou 's involvement as the Clinton administration 's " gesture of inclusion " . 
 Angelou was the first poet to read an inaugural poem since Robert Frost read his poem " The Gift Outright " at President John F. Kennedy <a href='null_genetive' title='1'><mark>'s</mark></a>inauguration in 1961 , and the first Black and woman . When it was announced that Angelou would read one of her poems at Clinton <a href='null_genetive' title='2'><mark>'s</mark></a>inauguration , many in the popular press compared her role as inaugural poet with that of Frost <a href='null_genetive' title='3'><mark>'s</mark></a>, especially what critic Zofia Burr called their " representativeness " , or their ability to speak for and to the American people . The press also pointed to the nation <a href='null_genetive' title='4'><mark>'s</mark></a>social progress that a Black woman would " stand in the place of a white man " at his inauguration , and praised Angelou <a href='null_genetive' title='5'><mark>'s</mark></a>involvement as the Clinton administration <a href='null_genetive' title='6'><mark>'s</mark></a>" gesture of inclusion " . 
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