BLACKSBURG, Va. – Laura Beth Dean, a registered nurse at Warm Hearth Village in Blacksburg, won multiple awards for her children’s book, “Georgia Jipp: Blizzard Pilot!”
The book, illustrated by Jeanne Bowman, chronicles the life of Georgia Jipp, a pilot who flew over 150 mercy missions for the American Red Cross during the South Dakota blizzard of 1949.
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The book has won the following awards:
- 2025 Spur Award
- Best Western Children’s Picture Book Presented by the Western Writers of America
- 2025 WILLA Literary Award
- Best Children’s Picture Book Awarded by Women Writing the West
- Finalist – Will Rogers Medallion Award
- Western Young Reader / Non-fiction / Illustrated Book Final rankings for this award are announced at the annual WRMA Banquet
- Bronze Medal – 2024 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards
- Best Illustrator - Jeanne Bowman
“I am in awe and so humbled this book has garnered four awards. I never would have imagined such an incredible reception. Several years ago, I discovered Georgia Jipp in a book about the terrible blizzards of 1949, and was captivated by this twenty-two–year-old pilot’s bravery. Only one other book mentioned her, so I resolved to research and write her story. I am delighted young Georgia Jipp now has her well-deserved place in history. It gives me such joy to inspire children through my books."
Laura Beth Dean, author