The Harold Washington Literary Award recognizes diverse and stimulating authors who address issues of contemporary life and whose literary achievements include a significant body of work that has touched the public mind and imagination. Harold Washington, the first African-American mayor of the City of Chicago, revered literature and epitomized the diversity of the American experience. The award, which bears his name, celebrates this spirit. The goal of this award is to present examples to the public of creative uses of the written word.

Recipients of this prestigious award are selected by a cross-cultural committee of representatives from Chicago’s literary community.

This award has been given annually since 1989 by Near South Planning Board at the Harold Washington Literary Award Dinner.

2026 Honoree: Patti Smith

Patti Smith, born in Chicago and raised in South Jersey, migrated to New York City in 1967. Her extensive achievements as a performer, author, recording and visual artist is acknowledged worldwide.
She is the author of the National Book Award winner, Just Kids, as well as Woolgathering, M Train, Year of the Monkey, and Bread of Angels. Her seminal album Horses, hailed as one of the top 100 albums of all time, was inducted into the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress in 2010. Her global exhibitions include Strange Messenger, Land 250, Camera Solo, and 18 Stations. In 2005, the French Ministry of Culture awarded Smith the title of Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, Smith is also the recipient of Sweden’s Polar Prize for significant achievements in music. the 2020 PEN Literary Service Award, The Legion d’Honneur, France’s highest order of merit in 2022 and the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Medal in 2024.

Past Recipients of the HWLA

Sandra Cisneros (2025)
Tracy K. Smith (2024)
Isabel Wilkerson (2023)
Natasha Tretheway (2022)
Ta-Nehisi Coates (2021)
Alex Kotlowitz (2019)
Rabih Alameddine (2018)
Rita Dove (2017)
Marilynne Robinson (2016)
Edward P. Jones (2015)
Stuart Dybek (2014)
Art Spiegelman (2013)
Sara Paretsky (2012)
Edwidge Danticat (2011)
Barbara Ehrenreich (2010)
Dave Eggers (2009)
Scott Turow (2008)
Walter Mosley (2007)
E.L. Doctorow (2006)
Garrison Keillor (2005)
Jules Feiffer (2004)
Margaret Atwood (2003)
Grace Paley (2002)
August Wilson (2001)
John Hope Franklin (2000)
Robert Pinsky (1999)
Joseph Epstein (1998)
Cynthia Ozick (1997)
Isabel Allende (1996)
Doris Kearns Goodwin (1995)
Zbigniew Brzezinski (1994)
Garry Wills (1993)
Ralph Ellison (1992)
Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. (1991)
Saul Bellow, Ray Bradbury, Gwendolyn Brooks, Cyrus Colter, William
Maxwell, Studs Terkel (1990)
Susan Sontag (1989)