Update (September 4, 2019):  Toni Morrison’s hometown has honored the legendary author in a very special way.

Local lawmakers in Lorain, Ohio officially declared her Feb. 18 birthday as “Toni Morrison Day,” according to The Morning Journal. 

On Wednesday, Ken Brooks, the nephew of the late Pulitzer-prize author accepted the honor from Ohio City Councilwoman Pamela Carter and Councilman at-Large Mitchell Fallis. 

“I’m thankful and honored to accept this resolution for my aunt, Toni Morrison, and I’m sure she’d be thankful also,” Brooks said.

He also used the moment to encourage others to “extend love to your fellow neighbors when maybe it’s not the easiest thing to do.”

“By doing that, we can continue the legacy, in a small way, of Toni Morrison,” Brooks continued. 

Last week, the piece of legislation to honor Morrison was first introduced by Ohio State Democratic Reps. Joe Miller and Stephanie Howse, according to The Cleveland Scene. 

"Toni Morrison’s life and writing exemplified her unique gift for creating passionate, elegant and timeless literature…her work stirred our souls, challenged our conscience to confront injustices and encouraged the rest of the world to do the same,” Rep. Howse previously wrote in a statement.  

On August 5, Morrison died at the age of 88 in New York City. The death of the famed author shook the country with nationwide tributes from Oprah Winfrey, Shonda Rhimes, Chance The Rapper, Gabrielle Union and Viola Davis. 

In 1993, the Beloved author made history as the first Black woman to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. In 2012, she was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by former President Obama.  

“Toni Morrison was a national treasure, as good a storyteller, as captivating, in person as she was on the page. Her writing was a beautiful, meaningful challenge to our conscience and our moral imagination. What a gift to breathe the same air as her, if only for a while,” Obama wrote on Twitter following Morrison’s death. 

Nearly one month following her death, Morrison continues to be remembered across the country. This includes the documentary chronicling her life, Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am, being presented in select theaters nationwide such as California, Georgia and New York. 

Original: A pair of Ohio state lawmakers are pushing to honor Toni Morrison’s legacy in a very special way. 

According to The Cleveland Scene, Ohio State Democratic Reps. Joe Miller and Stephanie Howse have introduced legislation to designate the late Morrison's birthday on February 18 as “Toni Morrison Day.” 

"Toni Morrison’s life and writing exemplified her unique gift for creating passionate, elegant and timeless literature…her work stirred our souls, challenged our conscience to confront injustices and encouraged the rest of the world to do the same,” Rep. Howse wrote in a statement.  

The honor holds special significance given the literary icon was a native of Lorain, Ohio. 

On August 5, Morrison died at the age of 88 in New York City. The death of the famed author shook the country with nationwide tributes from Oprah Winfrey, Shonda Rhimes, Chance The Rapper, Gabrielle Union and Viola Davis. 

In 1993, the Beloved author made history as the first Black woman to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. In 2012, she was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by then-President Barack Obama.  

“Toni Morrison was a national treasure, as good a storyteller, as captivating, in person as she was on the page. Her writing was a beautiful, meaningful challenge to our conscience and our moral imagination. What a gift to breathe the same air as her, if only for a while,” Obama wrote on Twitter following Morrison’s death. 

Rep. Miller echoed those sentiments by specifically sharing how her impact has become a "source of inspiration for our youth." 

“Her legacy is one of perseverance, dedication to education and leadership by example. I am hopeful that the designation of Toni Morrison Day will remind all Ohioans to learn from the body of work that inspired so many during her lifetime,” Rep. Miller said. 

The legislation will now move to the state’s House Rules and Reference Committee.

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