Dedicated to recognizing and honoring the contributions of women divers, the Women Divers Hall of Fame® (WDHOF) is an international non-profit professional honor society whose member contributions span a wide variety of fields including: The Arts, Science, Medicine, Sports, Exploration, UnderwaterArchaeology, Media, Service, Dive Training and Education, Safety, Business, Marine Environment and Conservation, Free Diving, Commercial Diving, and Military Diving. WDHOF was created in 1999 and incorporated in 2001 by six founding sponsors: Beneath the Sea, Inc.; the Underwater Society of America; the Women’s Scuba Association; Women Underwater; Hillary Viders, Ph.D.; and Capt. Kathy A. Weydig. WDHOF, Inc. was granted its 501(c)(3) status in 2002.
The Members of WDHOF form an elite group that includes the most notable women leaders and innovators in the diving community. There are currently 260 Members in the Hall, hailing from 30 U.S. states and Territories and 22 countries worldwide. WDHOF Members are inducted on an annual basis.
Mission Statement
– Recognize women divers who have made outstanding contributions to the exploration, understanding, safety and enjoyment of our underwater world and
– Support the underwater world and its associated careers by promoting opportunities in diving through scholarships, training grants, mentoring, as well as a worldwide network of industry contacts.
Vision Statement
– Establish WDHOF® as the preeminent organization for recognizing the international accomplishments of women divers and empowering the next generation of ocean and waters systems advocates.
– Enrich the narrative of diving history, focusing on noteworthy contributions made by women divers since the inception of underwater diving.
– Encourage, enable, and actively support future generations of divers to explore, promote and protect our planet’s aquatic environment.
– Ensure we represent a diverse group of pioneers, innovators, and record holders who significantly contribute to our knowledge, skill, comprehension, safety and enjoyment of the underwater environment.
– Expand our outreach with scholarships and training grants to cultivate generations of diverse individuals who fervently enjoy and protect our planet’s water.