Today the world lost one of its brightest, most powerful voices: Toni Morrison. Morrison’s legacy includes works such as Beloved, Song of Solomon, Jazz, and The Bluest Eye, and accolades including the 1993 Nobel Prize for Literature, and the 2012 Presidential Medal of Freedom. As a writer, Morrison was known for authentically capturing and elevating the Black experience in the United States, in particular the lives of Black women.

Many politicians have taken to Twitter to honor her memory, and share how her words have inspired them:

Toni Morrison was a towering intellect, a brilliant scribe of our nation’s complex stories, a heartbreaking journalist of our deepest desires, and a groundbreaking author who destroyed precepts, walls and those who dared underestimate her capacity. Rest well and in peace. pic.twitter.com/nMkxXRtEoz

— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) August 6, 2019

For giving us stories the world needed, but hardly heard before you; for sharing your gift with words at their most visceral; for being a force and making history—thank you, Toni Morrison. pic.twitter.com/F6vt22cbwV

— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) August 6, 2019

In the passing of Toni Morrison, we lost one of our greatest voices & storytellers. Holding close those touched by her being & her gift. Her work gave us power, hope & freedom. While our world shines a little less bright today, we know “something that is loved is never lost.”

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 6, 2019

Today, the world lost a storyteller of unmatched empathy, elegance and power. Toni Morrison’s belief that language is the “measure of our lives” leaves an extraordinary, inspiring inheritance, and her beautiful writing will continue to be a blessing for generations to come. pic.twitter.com/cc3st7x2lM

— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) August 6, 2019

“You wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weighs you down.” — Toni Morrison

A lesson for each of us. A lesson for our country. She may be gone, but her writing, her resolve, and her grace will live on forever.

— Beto O’Rourke (@BetoORourke) August 6, 2019

“We die. That may be the meaning of life. But we do language. That may be the measure of our lives.”

Holding all those touched by Toni Morrison in my heart today. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/2jkAvtaErK

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) August 6, 2019

Toni Morrison will be remembered as one of the greatest thinkers and storytellers in our history.

She gave us all so much, and her work continues to give throughout time. Thank you, Toni Morrison. https://t.co/XEDGNS7OXW

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) August 6, 2019

“If you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else.” -Toni Morrison

Today we lost an American legend. May she rest in peace. https://t.co/DInZvd8stY

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) August 6, 2019

Toni Morrison’s ability to spark dialogue and present a perspectives never seen in mainstream literature made her a force for good in this world. She had a bold gracefulness that we can all
learn from. https://t.co/sjdVdeMmUF

— Rep. Deb Haaland (@RepDebHaaland) August 6, 2019

“You are your best thing”

Toni Morrison was a trailblazer and inspired millions with her powerful words. We’re lucky to have had the privilege of sharing time with her. She will be deeply missed.

— Rep. Lucy McBath (@RepLucyMcBath) August 6, 2019

The passing of Ohio native and Nobel laureate Toni Morrison is heartbreaking. Her novels broke barriers and opened the eyes of the world to the African American experience. Her enduring legacy will impact aspiring writers, avid readers and the entire country for years to come. pic.twitter.com/izgeQiD0MC

— Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (@RepMarciaFudge) August 6, 2019

“The function of freedom is to free someone else.”

A ground-breaking African American author, Toni Morrison’s words are even more profound today. Honor her with our continued fight for freedom – freedom from hate, from violence, from want. An incredible American. Rest in power. https://t.co/ZtEEB1JSsa

— Anthony G. Brown (@RepAnthonyBrown) August 6, 2019

“We die. That may be the meaning of life. But we do language. That may be the measure of our lives”

Rest in Peace, Toni Morrison.

Born in Lorain, Ohio. Nobel Laureate. Trailblazer. pic.twitter.com/9FQBulB6JB

— Congressman Tim Ryan (@RepTimRyan) August 6, 2019

Thank you, Toni Morrison, for uplifting and bringing beauty to marginalized voices, especially those of black women. Thank you for being a truth-teller and challenging us all to strive toward something greater.
https://t.co/ErLWY3q8mn

— Rep. Terri A. Sewell (@RepTerriSewell) August 6, 2019

Toni Morrison had a unique combination of talent, passion, and grit. I deeply appreciated her power to make us think anew. This morning, I was saddened to learn of her passing.

Toni Morrison, rest in peace — your words will live on forever. pic.twitter.com/AAdAZW4MEx

— Sen. Maggie Hassan (@SenatorHassan) August 6, 2019

Toni Morrison spent a lifetime lifting up the voices of people who aren’t always heard in this country. The singular wit, hope and lyricism of her storytelling empowered generations of Americans. Her voice will be dearly missed.

— Sen Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) August 6, 2019

Mourning the loss of Toni Morrison, whose enduring work helped us grapple with the complexities of race.

As a professor at several NY colleges, she inspired countless students. Here’s my father giving her an award in 1986 (hope you don’t mind the swiped photo @caseyseiler) pic.twitter.com/DPrFbw5YbD

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) August 6, 2019

To learn more about Toni Morrison’s life and accomplishments, we recommend these pieces from the New York Times, The Root, and Teen Vogue.