Former Haitian-American Congresswoman Mia Love dies at 49

Former U.S. Representative Mia Love of Utah, a Haitian-American trailblazer who became the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress, died on Sunday at the age of 49.

Her family announced her passing on her official social media account.

“Love Family: With grateful hearts filled to overflowing for the profound influence of Mia on our lives, we want you to know that she passed away peacefully today. She was in her home surrounded by family. In the midst of a celebration of her life and an avalanche of happy memories, Mia quietly slipped the bands of mortality and, as her words and vision always did, soared heavenward. We are thankful for the many good wishes, prayers and condolences. We are taking some time as a family and will provide information about funeral services and a public celebration of her life in the days to come,” the post said.

Love had been battling brain cancer for three years and was undergoing immunotherapy as part of a clinical trial at Duke University’s brain tumor center. Earlier this month, her daughter revealed that she was no longer responding to treatment.