Harold Washington Literary Award Dinner - Near South Planning Board

Stay Updated

Join us on Thursday, September 4, 2025

The Harold Washington Literary Award recognizes diverse and stimulating authors who address issues of contemporary life. Each year since 1989 we have hosted a literary gala to bestow this prestigious award. Our 2025 honoree is Sandra Cisneros. Past winners have included Isabel Wilkerson, Natasha Trethewey, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Rabih Alameddine, Rita Dove, Barbara Ehrenreich, and Scott Turow. The HWLA is the official kick-off to the annual Printers Row Lit Fest.

📍 Location: Union League Club of Chicago – 65 W. Jackson Blvd. Chicago, IL 60604

📅 Date: Thursday, September 4, 2025
🕕 Cocktail Reception: 6:00 PM – Crystal Room
🍽️ Dinner & Program: 7:00 PM – Lincoln Ballroom

Complete List of HWLA Winners

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)