Fans and those inspired by Toni Morrison are flooding social media with their own memories of the writer, sharing their favorite books, interviews, and moments from the Nobel Prize winner.
It was announced Tuesday morning that Morrison had passed away the evening before following a brief illness.
“It is with profound sadness we share that, following a short illness, our adored mother and grandmother, Toni Morrison, passed away peacefully last night surrounded by family and friends,” her family said in a statement.
“She was an extremely devoted mother, grandmother, and aunt who reveled in being with her family and friends. The consummate writer who treasured the written word, whether her own, her students or others, she read voraciously and was most at home when writing. Although her passing represents a tremendous loss, we are grateful she had a long, well-lived life.”
Among the many who were affected by the literary icon’s words are celebs like Kerry Washington, Shonda Rhimes, and Jada Pinkett Smith, who took to Twitter to celebrate the writer.
“I cannot imagine growing up in a world without her words,” Washington wrote on Twitter. “I pray you rest In Peace and in Power. We will celebrate you with endless gratitude and love. Always.”
Activists and politicians like Stacey Abrams and Ilhan Omar also paid tribute to the writer, who Abrams called “a groundbreaking author.”
In a heartfelt message, Director Julie Dash recalled Morrison attending the premiere of her celebrated film, Daughters of the Dust.
“My knees buckled when I saw her in the first row of the audience,” Dash wrote in a post on social media. “She helped me get a publishing deal for the making of [my] book with The New Press. My knees buckled again today upon hearing of her passing…”
Many more like writer Roxane Gay, Marc Lamont Hill, Joy Ann Reid and Luvvie Ajayi shared their shock upon learning of the news of Morrison’s passing, along with a few fond words about her work.
A celebration in honor of Morrison is expected to be announced soon, according to her family’s statement.