History
In 1974, National Council for the Social Studies established the Carter G. Woodson Book Award for the most distinguished social science books appropriate for young readers that depict ethnicity in the United States. The purpose of this award is to encourage the writing, publishing, and dissemination of outstanding social science books for young readers that treat topics related to ethnic minorities and relations sensitively and accurately.
At the time, there was a paucity of books relating to racial and ethnic minorities. In addition, authors and publishers of such books rarely received the recognition that their efforts merited. NCSS gives wide recognition to and directly stimulates authors and publishers by sponsoring the Carter G. Woodson Book Award.
The establishment of the award was a result of the effort of the 1973 NCSS Racism and Social Justice Committee, under the chairmanship of Dr. James A. Banks, University of Washington, Seattle. This committee focused on the educational needs of minority students and has given guidance to NCSS in all matters related to equity issues. During the restructuring of Council governance, the committee was consolidated with the then Academic Freedom Committee to form the Academic Freedom, Equity and Social Justice Committee.
Members of the inaugural 1974 Award selection committee were: Augusta Baker, Beryle Banfield, James Banks, Julius Lester, Dharathula H. Millender, Effie Lee Morris, and chairperson, Florence Yoshiwara. Eloise Greenfield won the first Carter G. Woodson Book Award (1974) for her biography Rosa Parks (Crowell, 1973).
Seal
The seal was unveiled in 1999 in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Carter G. Woodson Book Award. It was designed by a committee led by Carren Kaston and is a likeness of Carter G. Woodson. The seal is placed on the cover of the top award book in each of the three divisions with the gold seal on the winners and the silver seal placed on the honor books.
Woodson Award Milestones:
1973 - NCSS Committee for Racial and Social Justice creates Carter G. Woodson Award
1974 - NCSS awards first Carter G. Woodson Book Award
1976 - Negro History Week becomes Black History Month
1980 - First "outstanding merit" books noted in Carter G. Woodson Book Award
1989 - Carter G. Woodson Book Award has two divisions: elementary and secondary
1996 - Carter G. Woodson Book Award Subcommittee changed the designation “Outstanding Merit” to “Honor Book.”
1999 - 25th anniversary of award - Carter G. Woodson Book Award book seals are unveiled.
2001 - Carter G. Woodson has three divisions: elementary, middle level, secondary.
Source: http://www.socialstudies.org/awards/woodson - National Council for the Social Studies
Storey article
Author?? - Carter G. Woodson Award Goes to Eloise Greenfield
In 1974, National Council for the Social Studies established the Carter G. Woodson Book Award for the most distinguished social science books appropriate for young readers that depict ethnicity in the United States. The purpose of this award is to encourage the writing, publishing, and dissemination of outstanding social science books for young readers that treat topics related to ethnic minorities and relations sensitively and accurately.
At the time, there was a paucity of books relating to racial and ethnic minorities. In addition, authors and publishers of such books rarely received the recognition that their efforts merited. NCSS gives wide recognition to and directly stimulates authors and publishers by sponsoring the Carter G. Woodson Book Award.
The establishment of the award was a result of the effort of the 1973 NCSS Racism and Social Justice Committee, under the chairmanship of Dr. James A. Banks, University of Washington, Seattle. This committee focused on the educational needs of minority students and has given guidance to NCSS in all matters related to equity issues. During the restructuring of Council governance, the committee was consolidated with the then Academic Freedom Committee to form the Academic Freedom, Equity and Social Justice Committee.
Members of the inaugural 1974 Award selection committee were: Augusta Baker, Beryle Banfield, James Banks, Julius Lester, Dharathula H. Millender, Effie Lee Morris, and chairperson, Florence Yoshiwara. Eloise Greenfield won the first Carter G. Woodson Book Award (1974) for her biography Rosa Parks (Crowell, 1973).
Seal
The seal was unveiled in 1999 in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Carter G. Woodson Book Award. It was designed by a committee led by Carren Kaston and is a likeness of Carter G. Woodson. The seal is placed on the cover of the top award book in each of the three divisions with the gold seal on the winners and the silver seal placed on the honor books.
Woodson Award Milestones:
1973 - NCSS Committee for Racial and Social Justice creates Carter G. Woodson Award
1974 - NCSS awards first Carter G. Woodson Book Award
1976 - Negro History Week becomes Black History Month
1980 - First "outstanding merit" books noted in Carter G. Woodson Book Award
1989 - Carter G. Woodson Book Award has two divisions: elementary and secondary
1996 - Carter G. Woodson Book Award Subcommittee changed the designation “Outstanding Merit” to “Honor Book.”
1999 - 25th anniversary of award - Carter G. Woodson Book Award book seals are unveiled.
2001 - Carter G. Woodson has three divisions: elementary, middle level, secondary.
Source: http://www.socialstudies.org/awards/woodson - National Council for the Social Studies
Storey article
Author?? - Carter G. Woodson Award Goes to Eloise Greenfield