(Reuters) – Black feminist bell hooks died Wednesday in Berea in Kentucky. Her sisters announced that her pioneering work was made all the more urgent by the racial justice protests which swept America in the aftermath of George Floyd’s and Breonna Taylor’s police shootings.

Hooks was Gloria Jean Watkins’ penname. Gloria Jean used lower case letters for her grandma to pay tribute.

In a Twitter statement, sisters Gwenda and Valeria Watkins stated that “The family Gloria Jean Watkins was deeply saddened by the passing of their beloved sister.”

Hooks passed away at her home, where she was surrounded by loved ones and close friends. She was 69.

Hooks, the fourth child of seven siblings was born in Hopkinsville in Kentucky in 1952.

In 1978 she published her first poetry book. By the time of her death, 40 of her books had been written. Her sisters say that they have all been translated into 15 different languages.

After teaching and studying at numerous universities, she went back to Kentucky. She taught at Berea College.

During the 2020 protests, particular attention was drawn to her work on racism and feminism as well as other topics.

Her sisters said that Gloria was an honor to have received many awards and honours for her work as a poet, writer, feminist, teacher, cultural critic, and social activist.

We are proud to be her friend, confidante, and influencer.