The WNBA Award
The WNBA Award is presented by the members of the Women's National Book Association to "a living American woman who derives part or all of her income from books and allied arts, and who has done meritorious work in the world of books beyond the duties or responsibilities of her profession or occupation." The award was formerly known as the Constance Lindsay Skinner Award. Its namesake was a playwright, critic, editor, and author active from early in the 20th century until her death in 1939.
The award has been presented continuously since 1940, at first annually, and since 1976 every other year in the even numbered years. 2004 marks the 50th presentation of the WNBA Award.
Winners of the WNBA Award
| 2008 | Kathi Kamen Goldmark, author, musician and Rock Bottom Remainders founder |
| 2006 | Perri Klass, MD, author, promoter of literacy, President and Medical Directory of Reach Out and Read, and professor of pediatrics |
| 2004 | Nancy Pearl, author, librarian, book reviewer, and radio talk show personality |
| 2002 | Patricia McKissack, Author |
| 2000 | Patricia Schroeder, Former Congresswoman, President and CEO, Assn. of American Publishers |
| 1998 | Doris Kearns Goodwin, Historian, author |
| 1996 | Carolyn G. Heilbrun, Author, feminist scholar |
| 1994 | Janet Palmer Mullaney, Founder and publisher, literary journal |
| 1992 | Jessie Carney Smith, Author, librarian |
| 1990 | Barbara Bush, First Lady, literacy advocate |
| 1988 | Claire Friedland, Book production specialist |
| 1986 | Ann Heidbreder Eastman, Bookwoman |
| 1984 | Effie Lee Morris, Librarian |
| 1982 | Barbara Tuchman, Author |
| 1980 | Anne Pellowski, Librarian, author |
| 1978 | Mary Stahlman, Douglas Book reviewer |
| 1976 | Barbara Ringer, Librarian |
| 1976 | Helen Honig, Meyer Publisher |
| 1976 | Frances Neal Cheney, Educator, author |
| 1975 | Margaret K. McElderry, Children's book editor |
| 1973 | Mary Virginia Gaver, Librarian, educator |
| 1972 | Ursula Nordstrom, Children's book editor |
| 1971 | Augusta Baker, School and public librarian |
| 1970 | Charlemae Hill Rollins, Librarian, author |
| 1969 | Victoria S. Johnson, Public relations professional |
| 1968 | Ruth Hill Viguers, Librarian, author |
| 1967 | Mildred L. Batchelder, Children's librarian |
| 1966 | Blanche W. Knopf, Publisher |
| 1965 | School library consultant, |
| 1964 | Polly Goodwin, Children's book reviewer |
| 1963 | Rachel Carson, Author |
| 1962 | Catherine Drinker Bowen, Author |
| 1961 | Eleanor Roosevelt, Former First Lady; author |
| 1960 | Pearl Buck, Author |
| 1959 | Marchette Chute, Author |
| 1959 | May Hill Arbuthnot, Editor, critic |
| 1958 | Edith Hamilton, Author |
| 1957 | Anne J. Richter, Editor |
| 1956 | Mary Ellen Chase, Author |
| 1955 | Bertha Mahoney Miller, Editor |
| 1955 | Fanny Butcher, Book reviewer |
| 1954 | Elizabeth Gray Vining Author, teacher |
| 1953 | Lillian C. Gurney, Bookseller |
| 1952 | Margaret C. Scroggin, Young people's librarian |
| 1951 | Dorothy Canfield Fisher, Author |
| 1950 | May Massee, Children's book editor |
| 1949 | Lucile Micheels Pannell, Bookseller |
| 1948 | May Lamberton Becker, Book reviewer |
| 1947 | Emily P. Street, Book sales and advertising |
| 1946 | Amy Loveman, Editor |
| 1945 | Lillian Smith, Author |
| 1944 | Mildred C. Smith, Editor |
| 1943 | Mary Graham Bonner, Author |
| 1942 | Irita Van Doren, Book review editor |
| 1941 | Blair Niles, Author |
| 1940 | Anne Caroll Moore, Librarian |
Nominations
Each Chapter member, Sustaining Member, and Corresponding Member may submit a nomination by March 1st of the even number years to the Chairperson of the WNBA Awards Committee.