In 1987, Toni Morrison visited Washington College. She was here. It was late in my time at Washington College before I heard the story of this literary giant coming to our campus. As a Black student, I was pleasantly surprised to learn about Morrison’s visit, but wish I had known sooner! I wish I had known that one of the greatest Black literary figures had graced our campus. She spent more time on campus than George Washington, but the story of her time here is incredibly overlooked. She gave a reading of her yet-to-be-published Beloved – a book that would cement her reputation as one of the best.

She signed this broadside with quotations about motherhood from both her own book Sula and Frederick Douglass’ Narrative. The frame, the placement in the Rose O'Neill Literary House, and the stories indicate that Toni Morrion is appreciated. This appreciation means that someone is listening to her. And listening to her means that someone is listening to our voice.

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