Kyle Zimmer, Co-founder and President of First Book, Washington DC

The National Book Foundation has chosen Kyle Zimmer as its 2014 Literarian Medalist. Zimmer will be honored for her outstanding leadership and achievements in overcoming childhood illiteracy and promoting educational equality. This is the tenth year that the Foundation has presented its Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community. The Award honors individuals for a lifetime of achievement in expanding the audience for literature. Last year Dr. Maya Angelou was presented this award, and the year before, it was given to Arthur O. Sulzberger, Jr., publisher of the NY Times. Internationally recognized as a visionary proponent of social entrepreneurship, Zimmer’s innovative business strategies have enabled the Washington, DC-based nonprofit social enterprise, First Book, to distribute quality books at little or no cost to millions of underserved children in communities throughout the United States and abroad.