2024 Marsha Lederman and Ming Wong

Arts and culture journalist and writer Marsha Lederman is the 2024 recipient of the Max Wyman Award for Critical Writing. She has been with The Globe and Mail since 2007. For 15 years she served as its Western Arts Correspondent, covering visual art, theatre, music, dance, books and publishing, film and architecture. In 2022, she became a full-time columnist for the newspaper, but continues to write about arts and culture.

Her memoir Kiss the Red Stairs: The Holocaust, Once Removed, was published by McClelland & Stewart in 2022. It was an instant national bestseller and last year won the Western Canada Jewish Book Award for biography or memoir. She has won several journalism awards, including the 2019 National Newspaper Award for Arts and Entertainment, and the inaugural Webster Award for Arts and Culture reporting in 2023. Before joining the Globe, Marsha held a variety of positions with CBC Radio, including National Arts Reporter. Born and raised in Toronto, she has lived in East Vancouver since 2007.

Yosef Wosk commented:

“Marsha Lederman’s writings over the years have provided a consistent and powerful demonstration of what she had called ‘good journalism’s power to inform, guide and potentially change the world’—precisely in line with the aims of this award.”

The jury citation reads:

“Marsha Lederman has made significant contributions to the field of journalism and literature through her extensive writings on social issues seen through the lens of arts and culture and social justice. The jury is unanimous in its appreciation of her ability to engage and inspire her readers, through lively and accessible writing that opens eyes and minds to fresh insights and creative thinking.”

Ming Wong is an art director, graphic designer and journalist at The Globe and Mail, where she produces and edits visually-driven stories for print, online, social and beyond. Her design work has been recognized by the Society of News Design and the Digital Publishing Awards. Born in Hong Kong and raised in Burnaby, she currently lives in Vancouver. She holds a degree in English Literature from the University of British Columbia.

Marsha Lederman commented: “I began working with Ming Wong as a mentor in 2022. She was particularly interested in writing about pop culture. And she has been fantastic, showing enormous creativity, drive and dedication as a writer. She is curious and smart, and writes interesting, intelligent and highly readable pieces about popular culture from her millennial perch. I can’t wait to read more from Ming over the years.”

The Award Ceremony
The VanDusen Botanical Garden
Vancouver, British Columbia
May 26, 2024