Author J.K. Rowling will receive the 2016 PEN/Allen Foundation Literary Service Award.
The award is given annually to authors whose work fights repression and censorship around the globe.
“Since her rise from single mother to literary superstar, J.K. Rowling has used her talents and stature as a writer to fight inequality on both a local and global level,” explains the PEN press release. “Her charitable trust, Volant, supports causes in the United Kingdom and abroad that alleviate social exclusion, with particular emphasis on women and children.”
The Harry Potter author will be presented with the award at PEN America’s annual Literary Gala on May 16 at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.
PEN will also honor Hachette Book Group CEO Michael Pietsch at the ceremony for his support against censorship. In 2015, Pietsch encouraged American publishers to resist censorship in China.
In the coming weeks, the organization will reveal its selections for the PEN Freedom to Write Award and the PEN/James and Toni C. Goodale Freedom of Expression Courage Award.