The U.S. Postal Service today celebrated the life and legacy of authorĀ Toni MorrisonĀ (1931-2019), whose artfully crafted novels explored the diverse voices of African Americans, in a first-day-of-issue ceremony atĀ Princeton University.
“One of the goals of our stamp program is to raise awareness and celebrate the people who represent the very best of our nation,” saidĀ Pritha Mehra, USPS chief information officer and executive vice president, who served as the dedicating official. “It’s a privilege to represent the 650,000 men and women of the Postal Service, as we honorĀ Toni MorrisonĀ with one more tribute ā our new stamp that will be seen by millions and forever remind us of the power of her words and the ideas she brought to the world.”
Joining Mehra for the ceremony wereĀ Chris Eisgruber, president ofĀ Princeton University;Ā Carla Hayden, 14th Librarian of Congress;Ā Gene Jarrett, faculty dean atĀ Princeton;Ā Ruha Benjamin, professor of African American Studies atĀ Princeton; and photographerĀ Deborah Feingold, whose portrait of Morrison appears on the stamp.
Michael Cadden, university lecturer atĀ Princeton’sĀ Lewis CenterĀ for the Arts, was master of ceremonies.
“It was a privilege to photograph Ms. Morrison, an amazing author who contributed so much to the world through her works,” said Feingold. “However, it is an absolute honor to know that the same photograph capturing a moment in time is now the subject of a Forever stamp. I am delighted that my photograph was used as a source to design the stamp and to participate in today’s unveiling and celebration.”
A letter of tribute from former PresidentĀ Barack ObamaĀ and former first ladyĀ Michelle ObamaĀ was read and a video tribute fromĀ Oprah WinfreyĀ was played during the ceremony.
The stamp features Feingold’s photograph ofĀ Toni MorrisonĀ against a bright yellow background.Ā Ethel Kessler, a USPS art director, designed the stamp.
