Franklin, who died last year of pancreatic cancer at the age of 76, was honored for "her indelible contribution to American music and culture for more than five decades," according to a press release from Pulitzer.org.
Since 1930, when the award was first handed out, Franklin is the first woman to receive the special recognition, which has honored 41 people and institutions.
She joins the ranks of legendary musicians like Duke Ellington and Bob Dylan who have also received the citation.
Aretha Franklin becomes first woman to win Pulitzer special citation award https://t.co/Z4pknujM3W pic.twitter.com/tVAdoa6mH1
— The Hill (@thehill) April 16, 2019
Aretha Franklin was awarded a posthumous #Pulitzer for her contribution to American music. Read David Remnick’s tribute to the late, great Queen of Soul. https://t.co/u2pm9GL7SY
— The New Yorker (@NewYorker) April 15, 2019
Franklin was the first woman indicted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and had more than 70 singles on the Billboard Top 100, CNN reported.
"The Pulitzer Prizes, and these special award citations, stand for work of breadth, excellence and consequence in making our society a better place to be," Neil Brown, Poynter's president and a Pulitzer Prize board member, said, according to The Hill.
“Aretha Franklin’s contributions remain deep, inspiring and altogether fitting of such recognition,” Brown said.
Aretha Franklin is the first woman to win a #Pulitzer special award and citation. Ever. https://t.co/AOzpEESWhA pic.twitter.com/CpfKKhK3J6
— Poynter (@Poynter) April 16, 2019
Aretha Franklin was posthumously awarded the Pulitzer Prize Special Citation "for her indelible contribution to American music and culture" https://t.co/8r1WkjHE2P pic.twitter.com/5oCEODbh9s
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) April 15, 2019
The Queen of Soul, #ArethaFranklin, makes history with posthumous #PulitzerPrize https://t.co/tFRdZveBcH pic.twitter.com/yT1WDEHyVK
— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) April 15, 2019
Aretha Franklin had a JET Magazine cover at least once for SIX CONSECUTIVE DECADES. pic.twitter.com/C2bfevrw5w
— iLoveArethaFranklin (@LovingAretha) April 10, 2019
Looking out on the morning rain
— Radio Star Entertainment (@Radio_Star_Ent) April 16, 2019
I used to feel so uninspired
And when I knew I had to face another day
Lord, it made me feel so tired..#ArethaFranklin pic.twitter.com/PJmaIKVTXi
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