The Bologna Children's Book Fair, a cornerstone of the global publishing industry, witnessed the momentous revelation of the inaugural PublisHer Excellence Awards. Established to celebrate the achievements of women who are driving positive change within the international publishing landscape, the awards ceremony was a glittering affair.
Bodour Al Qasimi, the founder of PublisHer, expressed her gratitude to the esteemed jury who played a pivotal role in the selection process. She acknowledged the remarkable contributions of all the finalists and winners, highlighting the heartwarming standard of work exhibited through the awards.
Following a meticulous six-month evaluation period, the jury meticulously narrowed down the field of contenders to nine finalists. The prestigious ceremony in Bologna then unveiled Anne Friebel, the Publishing Director at Palomaa Publishing, as the laureate in the Innovation category. Friebel's noteworthy accomplishment lies in the establishment of "The Female Publisher" network. This pathbreaking, free-to-join digital platform fosters connection and empowers women publishers, program managers, and decision-makers within the German-speaking publishing market by facilitating productive dialogue and knowledge exchange.
The brainchild of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, a passionate advocate for advancing the role of women in the cultural and creative sectors, the PublisHer Excellence Awards serve as a beacon for recognizing exceptional women who are reshaping the publishing domain. The awards program encompasses a range of categories that celebrate leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, and contributions in specific publishing segments, including children's books.