'Toni Morrison Day' Closer To Reality In Ohio

LORAIN, OH — A bill honoring the late Toni Morrison has passed the Ohio Senate.

Morrison, a native of Lorain, died in August 2019. During her decorated career, Morrison won nearly every award an author could: the Pulitzer Prize (for "Beloved"), the Nobel Prize in Literature (in 1993), the National Book Foundation's Medal of Distinguished Contribution to American Letters (in 1996) and the Presidential Medal of Freedom (in 2012).

State Reps. Joe Miller (from Amherst) and Stephanie Howse (from Cleveland) have pushed for Feb. 18, Morrison's birthday, to be christened "Toni Morrison Day" in Ohio. Their bill, House Bill 325, passed the Ohio Senate on Wednesday and now awaits Gov. Mike DeWine's signature to pass into law.

“The significance of Toni Morrison’s life is a continual source of inspiration for people across the country, state, and especially in our home county of Lorain. This legislation is an expression of appreciation for her life and legacy, and will serve as an annual reminder of her impact. Her work will continue to inspire Ohioans for future generations to come,” Miller said.

While trailblazing a literary path, Morrison also shattered barriers for editors. From 1967 to 1983 she served as the first female African-American editor in Random House history. She oversaw the publication of works by Gayl Jones, Toni Cade Bambara, Henry Dumas, Huey P. Newton, Muhammad Ali and Angela Davis. Like her writing, she showed a unique propensity for highlighting the work of people of color.

“Toni Morrison’s life and timeless works stirred our souls, challenged our conscience to confront injustices, and encouraged the rest of the world to do the same. The designation of Toni Morrison Day will be forever cherished by Ohioans, people around the globe, and future generations,” Howse said.