Elisabeth Jaquette of Words Without Borders Honored as 2026 Femmes de Culture Laureate

The 100 Femmes de Culture award, supported by the French Ministry of Culture, recognizes women who significantly contribute to the cultural landscape. The 2026 award, co-organized with the J. Paul Getty Trust and Villa Albertine, celebrates 250 years of French-American partnership. The jury, co-chaired by Katherine E. Fleming and Patricia Barbizet, included notable members like Mélanie Biessy, Bonnie Brennan, and Mati Diop, among others. Jaquette shares this honor with fellow laureates such as novelist Anne Berest and artist Chouf.

In a statement to Publishing Perspectives, Jaquette expressed that this recognition underscores the vital role of literary translators in bridging cultures through literature. She noted the contrasted perception of the US on the global stage while affirming the value of a connected, empathetic world.

Katherine E. Fleming remarked upon the impact of the 100 women honored this year, highlighting their contribution to cultural leadership and societal progress.

Jaquette, an acclaimed Arabic-to-English translator, has been recognized with multiple nominations for prestigious awards, including the National Book Awards and the International Booker Prize. She has led Words Without Borders since 2024, following her role as Executive Director of the American Literary Translators Association from 2017 to 2024. Jaquette was also named a National Endowment for the Arts Translation Fellow in 2026.

Samantha Schnee, board chair of Words Without Borders, praised Jaquette for her dedication to enhancing the literary arts community in the US over the past decade and reaffirmed that the award is well-deserved. Jaquette emphasized that this recognition highlights the essential contributions of literary translators to fostering a more connected and inclusive literary world.