2022 CDA Book Award Winners
The recipients are:
The CDA Book Awards Committee led by Chair Jocelyn Lance has named the winners:
AWARD
Title:
George Washington
Author:
David O. Stewart
About
George Washington’s transformation from an ambitious, flawed young officer into the unshakable leader of a new nation is one of history’s most remarkable reinventions. Born the third son of a modest Virginia planter, he overcame early missteps to become commander of the Continental Army and, later, the unanimously elected first president of the United States. His rise was no accident—it was the result of deliberate political education, tireless public service, and hard-earned wisdom. From local courts to the battlefield, Washington honed the skills that would define a nation, proving that true leadership is forged through experience, humility, and purpose.
CITATION
Title:
The Doctors Blackwell: How Two Pioneering Sisters Brought Medicine to Women and Women to Medicine
Author:
Janice P. Nimura
About
Elizabeth Blackwell refused to accept the limits placed on women in her time. In 1849, she became the first woman in America to earn a medical degree, breaking barriers with fierce determination. Her sister Emily soon followed, proving an even more gifted physician. Together, they founded the first hospital run entirely by women, challenging both medical norms and social expectations. Their journey—from Europe to antebellum America—was marked by triumphs, setbacks, and a complex sisterly bond. This is the story of two bold pioneers who defied convention, redefined medicine, and paved the way for generations of women to follow.
YOUNG READER
Title:
Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Author:
Jeff Gottesfeld
Illustrator:
Matt Tavares
About
At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, sentinel guards keep a solemn, unbroken vigil—twenty-four hours a day, in all weather, since 1937. Each step and turn is performed with flawless precision, a tribute to those who gave their lives in service but whose names are lost to history. Earning this post is one of the Army’s highest honors, requiring unwavering discipline and devotion. This powerful story traces how the Unknowns came to rest at Arlington and how fellow soldiers have guarded them ever since, ensuring they are never alone—and never forgotten. It is a story of sacrifice, honor, and duty.