Masha Hamilton has been named this year’s recipient of the Women’s National Book Association WNBA Award, which is presented 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.”
Hamilton is a novelist and former foreign correspondent. Her fiction includes 31 Hours and The Camel Bookmobile. As a journalist, Masha worked for the Associated Press, reporting from the Middle East, and for the Los Angeles Times and NBC/Mutual Radio, reporting on the Soviet Union during its final years.
In 2009, she launched the Afghan Women’s Writing Project “to foster creative and intellectual exchange between Afghan women writers and American women authors and teachers.”
WNBA president Mary Grey James praised “the depth of Masha’s commitment to the world of literacy and books beyond her own career. She is a sterling example of what the WNBA Award truly intends to honor–meritorious work in the world of books beyond her profession.”
Thank you, Masha, for going the extra mile in the world of books,
Lynn Henriksen, President WNBA-SF
Such an accomplishment in humanity and courage. We are all enriched. My congratulations on an award richly-deserved!
Yes – Masha is something else alright! And we had a difficult time choosing between many, many outstanding, accomplished women who give so much.