The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
MARKING GREATNESS
Toni Morrison marker installed at Carnegie Center
“There is nothing better than being able to honor your own.”
— Stephanie Howse, who helped incorporate Toni Morrison Day in Ohio
A new marker to honor Toni Morrison has been installed at Carnegie Center in Lorain.
The marker is sponsored by the Lorain Historical Society along with Lorain YWCA, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Ohio History Connection and Ohioana Library Association.
The dedication ceremony took place Aug. 12 at 4 p.m. inside the Carnegie Center.
Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley gave closing remarks. Ohio Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, who was present at the event, says she is proud of Lorain.
“The heritage and diversity that is here is really America,” said Kaptur.
“We have a job to tell the history of our region and Lorain has begun that work.”
Ohio House Rep. Joe Miller and Stephanie Howse who helped incorporate Toni Morrison Day in Ohio were also present.
Toni Morrison’s birthday, Feb. 18, has become “Toni Morrison Day” in Ohio.
Howse says she’s happy to attend the event.
“There is nothing better than being able to honor your own,” said Howse.
“Lorain should absolutely be proud and I am appreciative to take a small part in getting Toni Morrison Day recognized in the state.”
Executive Director Barb Piscopo says she is excited that Lorain Historical Society could sponsor the marker.
“We’re very, very grateful,” she said.
Nobel Prize winning author Toni Morrison — born Chloe Ardelia Wofford in Lorain in 1931 — worked at the Lorain Public Library which was then located in the Carnegie Center.
During high school, Morrison worked in the library as a “pusher” where she re-shelved books from a library cart, before being promoted to the catalog department.
Toni Morrison won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993, becoming the first African-American woman to win the award.
Morrison died on Aug. 5, 2019.