Daughter Savannah Shange confirms that the writer of the 1975 Tony Award-nominated play passed away at an assisted living facility on Saturday, October 27.
- Oct 29, 2018
AceShowbiz - The last chapter of Ntozake Shange's life has come to an end. The writer famous for her "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf" play passed away in her sleep at an assisted living facility in Bowie, Maryland on Saturday morning, October 27. Her daughter, Savannah Shange, confirmed her passing.
The family of the poet and author also announced her death through her Twitter feed. "To our extended family and friends, it is with sorrow that we inform you that our loved one, Ntozake Shange, passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early morning of October 27, 2018," the statement read. "Memorial information / details will follow at a later date."
To our extended family and friends, it is with sorrow that we inform you that our loved one, Ntozake Shange, passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early morning of October 27, 2018. Memorial information / details will follow at a later date.
— Ntozake Shange (@NtozakeShange1) October 27, 2018
The family of Ntozake Shange
Ntozake was 70 years old when she passed away. Her health has been fragile ever since she suffered a series of strokes in 2004. Still, her sister Ifa Bayeza believed she was not in pain when she passed. "Zake was a woman of extravagance and flourish, and she left quickly without suffering," Ifa told the Star Tribune. "It's a huge loss for the world. I don't think there's a day on the planet when there's not a young woman who discovers herself through the words of my sister."
Ntozake's daughter, Savannah, has also talked about her mother's legacy in the wake of her death. "She spoke for, and in fact embodied, the ongoing struggle of black women and girls to live with dignity and respect in the context of systemic racism, sexism and oppression," the professor of anthropology at the University of California at Santa Cruz told ABC News.
News of Ntozake's death was quick to reach Hollywood as stars came out to express their condolences. Kerry Washington and Ava DuVernay were among those paying tribute. "So grateful for her vision and voice," Kerry tweeted along with Ntozake's quote, while Ava simply wrote on her account, "Thank you Ntozake Shange. Rest Now, Queen."
Through my tears
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) October 27, 2018
I found god in myself
and I loved her fiercely
- #NtozakeShange
💔 So grateful for her vision and voice. https://t.co/pjlWtxJSQl
“Where there is a woman there is magic. If there is a moon falling from her mouth, she is a woman who knows her magic. She can share or not share her powers. This woman is a consort of the spirits.“ Thank you, Ntozake Shange. Rest now, Queen.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) October 28, 2018
Ntozake's "For Colored Girls" theater piece consists of 20 separate poems that follow seven African-American women who suffered racism, sexism, violence and rape. Premiered in 1976, this work that was nominated for Tony Awards in 1977 was played for about 750 performances on Broadway. It got its film adaptation in the hands of actor/director/writer Tyler Perry with Thandie Newton, Anika Noni Rose, Kerry Washington and Janet Jackson among the cast.
