COLUMBUS, Ohio — Legislation has passed that would honor Lorain native and author Toni Morrison by designating her birthday, Feb. 18, as “Toni Morrison Day” in Ohio, according to the Ohio House of Representatives.
State Reps. Joe Miller (D-Amherst) and Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) announced the bill was passed by the House Thursday afternoon.
Morrison made a name for herself through her novels and non-fiction works that examined the black identity of America. Her work, including “Song of Solomon” earned her a Pulitzer Prize for fiction, a Nobel Prize in literature, the National book Foundation’s Medal for Distinguished Contributions to American Letters and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
She died on Aug. 5, 2019 at the age of 88.
“Toni Morrison is the embodiment of the promise of Ohio. She made the most of her innate talents with ceaseless hard work and rose to the pinnacle of literary achievement," said Miller. "I am excited that we have the opportunity to recognize Ms. Morrison as one of Ohio's most accomplished creative minds.”
Since the bill has been passed by the Ohio House it will now head to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.
