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Zale Parry, 2000
Zale began diving in 1951 using one of the first imported Aqualungs. She helped run the first hyperbaric chamber for civilian divers in California; set a woman’s depth record to 209 feet (1954); and became the third female instructor to graduate from the LA County UICC program. She is best known as the underwater damsel in distress in the TV series Sea Hunt. She is currently working on a book about the roots of diving in America. In 1999 she received WSA’s Woman Diver of the Year Award. |
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Carolyn Pascal-Guarino, 2002
Carolyn is current publisher of Sport Diver magazine. She focuses on dive market development and creating multimedia programs that contribute to industry growth. Over her 20-year dive career, Carolyn has traveled extensively working to increase dive tourism. She is an active member of the Caribbean Hotel Association, the Caribbean Tourism Organization, and has led many dive seminars and roundtable discussions. Carolyn has also played an active role in the development of diving events, and has been involved in photojournalism both behind and in front of the camera. |
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Alese O. Pechter, 2000
Alese is a renowned underwater photojournalist. Her work has appeared in most scuba magazines, on internet websites and in general interest publications. She co-wrote the award winning book What’s in the Deep? (an ocean-oriented book for youngsters). Alese is an active photographer, writer, teacher, diver, lecturer and marine ecology advocate. Together with her husband, she has been the DEMA photographer for over 20 years. She is a member of the American Society of Media Photographers, the National Association of Press Photographers and the North American Travel Writers Association. Her contact and work with the industry, public and media has helped to change the “macho” image of SCUBA to that of a family recreational sport. She is a Platinum Pro 5000 Diver, an elected Fellow National in the Explorer’s Club and has received the NOGI for Distinguished Service. |
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Linda Pitkin, 2003
Linda’s underwater photography has won national and international awards. The author of four books on marine life, she is also an entomologist at The Natural History Museum in London, England. |
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Shirley Pomponi, Ph.D., 2003
Shirley Pomponi is President and CEO of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution. She received her Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography from the University of Miami and joined Harbor Branch in 1984. Her research focuses on marine biotechnology, in general, and sponge biology, in particular, and she has authored or co-authored more than 90 scientific publications. She has led numerous research expeditions worldwide and has made more than 300 dives in Harbor Branch’s Johnson-Sea-Link submersibles. She chairs the National Research Council's Ocean Studies Board, is Vice-Chair of the Consortium for Ocean Leadership, and is a member of the Florida Oceans and Coastal Resources Council, the Ocean Research and Resources Advisory Panel, the U.S. National Committee for the Census of Marine Life, the National Association of Marine Laboratories, the Board of Trustees of Midwest Research Institute, and the Board of Trustees of the Women Divers Hall of Fame. |
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Ellen J. Prager, Ph.D., 2000
As a marine scientist, Ellen has participated in diving expeditions throughout the Pacific and Caribbean, and has lived and worked in an undersea laboratory in the Florida Keys. In 1995 she was the resident director of the National Undersea Research Center in the Bahamas. Ellen has been interviewed on NBC’s Today show, written dispatches for MSNBC and worked with the National Geographic Society. McGraw-Hill will publish her book The Oceans with Dr. Sylvia Earle in the spring of 2000. |
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Marianne Preker, 2001
Marianne left her counseling career in 1987 to open Underwater Safaris Scuba Center in Chicago. A PADI master instructor and Handicapped Scuba Association course director, she dreamed of teaching people with disabilities to scuba dive. In 1991, Marianne created Project TIDE which has trained hundreds of teens with disabilities to dive in Chicago and the Caribbean. Currently a foundation of Underwater Safaris supports TIDE, scuba programs for inner city teens, and educational programs in Roatan and Papua New Guinea. |
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Michelle Pugh, 2004
Michelle’s love for the ocean, passion for exploration and environmental activism has guided her diving career since 1970. She is the founder of Dive Experience, St. Croix’s oldest originally owned dive center. Michelle was the first woman to teach PADI classes in Moscow, Russia. She spearheaded “Project Anchor Away” which established dive moorings throughout St. Croix and serves as a testament to her vision for protecting the marine environment. Michelle involvement on the Fisheries Advisory Committee and her work to create the East End Marine Park is part of her continued concern for the US Virgin Island marine life. |
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Janice Raber, 2001
Janice is vice president of the Long Island Divers Association and co-produces their annual film festivals. She’s been diving since 1986, is an instructor, and serves on the Suffolk County Leisure Services Advisory Board. Janice’s efforts opened 15 county and state park dive sites, fostered the purchase of a historic shipwreck site, and helped designate a local marine park. She arranges beach cleanups, fund-raisers, seminars and exhibits at dive expos, museums and county functions. Janice has published numerous dive articles and is a contributer to Long Island Boating World. |
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Sherry A. Reed, 2002
Sherry has been a research specialist at the Smithsonian Marine Station in Florida since August 1983 and a Smithsonian Dive Officer since 1989. In 1990, she was elected to the Smithsonian Institution Scientific Diving Control Board. In 2001, she was elected to the board of directors of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences. She is a PADI Scuba, Medic First Aid, Oxygen Administration and Hazardous Marine Life Instructor. Sherry is also a PSI Cylinder Inspector, ScubaPro Repair Technician, AED Instructor and holds a US Coast Guard Captain’s License. |
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Vreni Roduner, 2000
Vreni learned to dive in 1974 and became the first female divemaster of The Scuba Sports Club (NY) in 1980. In 1986 she participated in Repex, a NOAA-sponsored saturation excursion program for the purpose of predicting the longterm effects of oxygen exposure. She is the recipient of BTS Medal of Excellence and their 20 Year Award for loyalty and dedicated service, as well as the TSSC Diver of the Year Award. Vreni was also a participant in the Aqua Women expeditions from 1981 to 1993. |
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Carol Taylor Rose, 2000
Carol has been totally involved in organized diving even before she was certified in 1973. She is a charter member and has held offices for the Amphibian Dive Club; been past everything for Cen Cal Council Diving Clubs; is a representative for the World UW Federation; is secretary and an international referee for the World UW Hockey; and president and editor of the Underwater Society of America. Carol is the author of How to Form A Dive Club and How to Start UW Hockey. |
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Kathy Rothschild, 2001
Kathy learned to dive in 1987 and has been hooked ever since. In response to the tremendous growth of the dive industry, she created Rothschild Dive Safaris and developed dive travel programs to exotic destinations worldwide. Kathy has dived all over the world and logged more than 1,000 dives. She was instrumental in opening up the Philippines, South Africa, Malawi, and Jordan as dive destinations for the US market. Kathy is strongly committed to the environment, and volunteers for the Shark Research Institute, Center for Marine Conservation, and several other organizations. |
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Norine Rouse, 2000
Norine was the first women hired by UNEXCO (1967), not only to show that women could dive, but that they could instruct as well. She has trained more than 1000 students. Norine has taught marine patrol, worked for conservation and preservation of habitats, introduced tourist diving to the Palm Beach, Florida, area, and helped establish its artificial reef committee. She was the only person to gain permits to swim with turtles. Norine is a board member of the Marine Technology Society. |
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Betsy Royal, 2000
Betsy began diving while in college in the waters of the Northeast. Following graduation she obtained a position in New York marketing the resort Cap’n Don’s Habitat (Bonaire). Continuing to dive locally and abroad, she became the Northeast Advertising Manager of Skin Diver and in 1982 moved on to a management position with Henderson Aquatics. In 1996 Betsy was named Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Mares-America, Corp. She has served two successive terms on the BOD of DEMA. |
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Dr. Lesley A. Runnalls, 2006
Dr. Lesley Runnalls is a noted researcher in geology and maritime archeology. Since 1978, she has been part of the dive team working on a number of significant shipwrecks, including the MARY ROSE. Lesley has also been involved in shipwreck projects in Bermuda and Mauritius. Dr. Runnalls has done significant scientific research in pollution effects on corals in the West Indies and has been involved in diving related research projects on Antigua, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Mexico, Indonesia, Maldives and Mauritius. She is a CMAS Scientific Diver and a British Sub Aqua Club Instructor in scuba diving and a member of the Nautical Archaeology Society and the Historical Diving Society. Lesley also holds a private pilots license and is a committee member of the British Women’s Pilots Association, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2005. |
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Lorraine Bemis Sadler, 2000
Lorraine has been underwater since the 1960s. She holds instructor status with SSI, DAN, LA County, NAUI, and PADI, and has also worked as a stunt diver. She is a founding member of Women’s Scuba Association and holds the position of Equipment Director for WETT - where she helps to design and evaluate equipment for diving manufacturers. Recognized for her expertise on equipment, hyperbaric chamber operations and marine biology, she is invited to lecture quite frequently. |
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LCDR Erica Sahler, 2002
Erica is a 1987 graduate of the US Naval Academy, a member of the Naval Ocean Facilities Program and serves in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps. In 1996 she received her Basic Diving Officer qualifications from the Naval Diving & Salvage Training Center. Erica holds a master’s degree in civil engineering (ocean engineering emphasis) and has served as a engineering project officer for ocean construction projects and diving officer at NAVSEA Coastal Systems Station, Panama City, Florida. She’s currently the commanding officer at Underwater Construction Team TWO in Port Hueneme, California. |
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Susan Sammon, 2002
Susan has mobilized more than 100 diving expeditions for CEDAM International in support of marine conservation and science. With other volunteer divers, she has participated in 40 expeditions, mapping reefs, collecting fish and studying marine ecosystems. Susan also works with husband, Rick Sammon, capturing underwater images for books and magazines. During an assignment to Siberia, she became one of the first women to dive Russia’s legendary Lake Baikal. Currently, she is special projects director for CEDAM International and the Academy of U/W Arts & Sciences. |
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Dee Scarr, 2000
Dee is dedicated to helping people better understand marine animals and their behaviors. She has directed numerous conservation and awareness programs. Dee is a contributing writer for Dive Training magazine, and has written Touch the Sea, The Gentle Sea, and Coral’s Reef. Her recognitions include Beneath the Sea’s Diver of the Year Award for Environment, the Boston Sea Rover’s Diver of the Year Award, and the PADI-SeaSpace Environmental Awareness Award. |
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Barbara “Bobbie” Scholley, Capt(ret), USN
Bobbie retired from the U.S. Navy in 2005 after 25 years of service. As a Diving and Salvage officer since 1983, she had key leadership roles in many Navy Diving Operations including the TWA Flight 800 recovery in 1996, the USS COLE bombing recovery in 2000 and USS MONITOR Expeditions 2001 and 2002. She has 19 surface supplied mixed gas dives to 240 FSW on MONITOR. Bobbie served in three Commanding Officer positions, USS BOLSTER (ARS 38), a diving and salvage ship; Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit TWO; and Naval Weapons Station, Earle, NJ. She was also the U.S. Navy’s Supervisor of Diving from 1997-1999. She has an MS in National Resource Strategies from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and an honorary Doctorate of Science from Illinois State University(ISU). She is a member of ISU’s College of Science and Arts Hall of Fame and currently does consulting work. |
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Nancy Sefton, 2001
Nancy was certified (in duck feet) in 1961 and later was the first woman to publish an article and undersea photographs in Skin Diver magazine. As a resident of the Caymans, she founded the islands’ Conservation Association and became a proponent of coral reef preservation. Most of Nancy’s 300 published articles have emphasized marine biodiversity. She is a winner of the 1985 NOGI Award for Arts, and she continues to foster marine science education by producing CDs and award-winning videos for regional schools. |
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Claudia Serpieri, 2002
Claudia is an instructor trainer for PSA, co-founder of the agency SOLO, PADI staff instructor and founder/editor of the technical diving magazine Captain Nemo. Since 1994, she’s obtained women’s records for trimix diving in the sea (687 feet), cold water/altitude (586 feet), and wreck in sea (455 feet). She holds the Italian women’s record for deepest dive in a sinkhole (341 feet) and cave (283 feet), and leads the exploration team at the sinkhole Merro (651 feet). She is co-director of team BioHazard, which has partnerships with space agencies, hyperbaric researchers, universities and the Navy. |
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Kim Reed Sheckler RN, 2001
Kim has been diving for 23 years and has worked extensively with her husband Dale in diving, writing and underwater photography. In 1984 she co-founded California Diving News and has co-authored several books including Southern California’s Best Beach Dives. Since 1988, Kim has been executive director of the SCUBA Show, the largest consumer dive show in the western USA. In 2004, Kim was honored with Historical Diving Society Nick Icorn Award for “continued support of the history of diving.” She, along with her husband, was also inducted into the California Wreck Divers Hall of Fame, and was presented with the prestigious Jon Hardy Award at the Catalina Island Cleanup. In addition to her diving credentials, she is a registered nurse who is an active member of the UHMS and has served as a board member of the Catalina Conservancy Divers. She volunteers regularly in a nursing capacity at a local Women’s Help Center. |
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Jeanne Bear Sleeper, 2000
Jeanne became a NAUI Instructor in 1971. She has served as NAUI’s Mid-America Branch Manager, NAUI Headquarters Special Projects Director and Editor of NAUI News. Jeanne has edited numerous diving publications and articles and co-authored the book Women Underwater. She is the recipient of NAUI’s Service Award for directing five IQ Conferences and redesigning their instructor training courses. Jeanne was the first woman Instructor Course Director. She was a Contributing Editor to Skin Diver, authoring the Advanced Diving column for seven years. She continues to dive, write and photograph around the world. Jeanne began volunteer diving at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA before there were fish in the exhibits and continues her service as a Dive Team Leader and as an AOP Trustee. Jeanne also serves on the Advisory Board of Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, CA. |
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Debbie Smith, 2007
Since certifying in 1986, Debbie’s passion and dedication have led her into assisting top researchers in shark awareness and reef conservation. As a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT) Instructor, she has been instrumental in the complete setting up of top dive centers at upmarket resorts, from mapping and naming sites to full operational status. Both have won top international awards. Debbie has written and had published articles on diving with great white sharks and is the founding member of an ecotourism company, “Diving with Sharks.” |
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Marguerite St Ledger-Dowse, 2000
Marguerite began diving in 1983. She became associated with the Diving Diseases Research Centre in Plymouth (UK) in 1989 and initiated the study “Men and Women in Diving.” In 1996 Marguerite launched, as Research Coordinator, the second phase of “Women in Diving,” to conclude in 2001. She has presented at numerous international conferences and contributes regularly to UK diving journals. Marguerite is the recipient of the BSAC award (1995) and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Prize (1995). |
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Pat Stayer, 2005
Pat Stayer a well known underwater photographer, author, and video editor has co-produced over 25 presentations and 3 books. Her work has appeared on the Discovery, Learning and History Channels and she is a frequent presenter at dive conventions. As a maritime artist, her drawings depicting shipwrecks are recognized throughout the Great Lakes. As co-owner/operator of a dive charter, she has discovered and documented over a dozen shipwrecks. She began diving in 1975, helped establish the Michigan Sanilac Shores Diving Preserve and was the first woman on the county dive team. She has served in various offices including secretary of the Michigan Preserve Council. |
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Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, 2007
Captain Piper was the first female U.S. Navy Engineering Duty Officer to qualify as a salvage diver. After making significant contributions to several Navy diving and salvage projects, including the development of the salvage plans for the Peruvian submarine PACOCHA and the de-stranding of the tanker EXXON HOUSTON off of Barbers Point, Hawaii, she became a NASA Mission Specialist. A member of the STS-115 shuttle mission team, her extensive experience and training in NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory paid off in September, 2006, when she conducted two successful space walks to install solar panels on the International Space Station. |
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Andrea D. Stockert, 2001
Andrea began her dive career in 1988 and is currently a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer. She has found her niche in the film business as a safety diver for wet sets. Andrea has worked as a divemaster on numerous videos, commercials and feature films, including Simon Birch and The Perfect Storm. She is one of the few women divemasters in Hollywood. Her love of storytelling has enabled her to field produce a television series about diving for Animal Planet and her articles appear in a variety of on-line and off-line publications. |
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Tanya Streeter, 2000
Having grown up in Grand Cayman, Tanya was perhaps destined for an aquatic career. But nobody could have guessed she would become the only woman in history to break a man’s world record in any sport, when she freedived to 525ft in 2002. Her achievements, totaling 10 world records, have raised the profile of freediving worldwide and her personality has changed its death-defying image. She’s a committed spokesperson for marine environmental groups and is an award-winning television presenter/host for the BBC and Animal Planet. |
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Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, 2008
Dr. Kathryn Sullivan is the first American woman to walk in space. Dr. Sullivan is a veteran of three shuttle missions and a 2004 inductee to the Astronaut Hall of Fame. Dr. Sullivan is also an oceanography officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve, holding the rank of Captain. Dr. Sullivan left NASA to accept a Presidential appointment to the post of Chief Scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Here she oversaw a wide array of research and technology programs ranging from climate and global change to satellites and marine biodiversity. Dr. Sullivan served on the Pew Oceans Commission, whose nationwide study and subsequent report, “America’s Living Oceans: Charting a Course for Sea Change,” called for immediate reform of U.S. ocean laws and policies to avert the decline of ocean wildlife and collapse of ocean ecosystems (2000-2003). Dr Sullivan was appointed to the Chief of Naval Operations Executive Panel in 1988. She is a member of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the Explorers Club, the Society of Woman Geographers and Association of Space Explorers. Dr. Sullivan served as President and CEO of COSI (Center of Science & Industry) in Columbus, Ohio. COSI is a hands-on, inquiry-based center of science learning resources. Dr. Sullivan is currently teaching at the John Glen Center at Ohio University. |
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Helen K. Talge, Ph.D., 2004
Helen began diving in the late 1950’s in Key West, Florida, where she learned from and then later assisted the Navy SEAL instructors. She investigated the effects of diving activities on coral reefs and earned her masters degree in Marine Science in 1991. The following year The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recognized her for her excellence and leadership in coastal and marine research. Helen received her Ph.D. for the examination of the cellular processes associated with bleaching in reef organisms in 2002. Her life was committed to coral reef conservation. Helen is being inducted posthumously. |
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Dr. Maida Beth Taylor, 2000
Maida has been diving since 1975. Her contribution to the industry has been primarily through research. She authored a chapter in Bove’s and Davis’ text Diving Medicine. Maida studies the interactions and influences of hormones, menstruation, menopause and pregnancy on fitness, and in particular the effects of hormonal changes in diving performance. Her current area of concern is the effects of low estrogen states on the incidence and severity of decompression illness. |
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Valerie Taylor, 2000
Valerie is a marine conservationist, underwater photographer, videographer, scriptwriter, and painter. In 1969 she played herself in the film Blue Water White Death and has twice graced the cover of National Geographic. Valerie, together with her husband, has captured live shark footage and successfully tested mesh suits for shark bite protection and an electronic barrier against sharks. She is the recipient of the American Nature Photographer of Year (1997) and the Golden Palm Award at Antibes, France (1998). |
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Mia Jean Tegner, PhD, 2002
Dr. Tegner was a world-renowned expert on kelp forest ecology. In 31 years as a research marine biologist at Scripps Institution of Oceanography she focused on near-shore marine resources, specializing in abalones, sea urchins, and the kelp itself. She was instrumental in closing California’s abalone fishery and in dealing with sewage pollution problems off San Diego. Mia’s work studying and protecting the marine environment earned her many honors, including a Pew Fellowship, Cooper Ecology Award, and University of California, San Diego, Distinguished Alumna of the Year Award. |
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Bridget K. Thomas, RN, 2001
Bridget was certified in 1982. In 1990, she left her career in nursing education to pursue the development of the International Society of Aquatic Medicine. ISAM offers diving related medical seminars whereby physicians and staff can be brought up-to-date on the latest technology and sciences of undersea exploration while also exploring the conditions found in the Caribbean, South Pacific, and Middle East. Under Bridget’s direction, the membership has more than tripled and the number of medical conferences increased from one to five per year. |
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Donna M. Tobias, 2001
Donna was the first woman to become a US Navy deep sea (hard hat) diver in 1975. She worked on search & salvage operations, underwater repairs of surface ships and submarines, and on the conversion of two YFN (barges) into diving and salvage liftcraft. Donna also served as a submarine escape instructor, hyperbaric chamber operator, and a scuba instructor at a Navy scuba diving school. In the late 1970s she participated in leading-edge hyperbaric treatments for medical purposes and the evaluation of one-person portable recompression chambers. |
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Bonnie Toth, 2007
One of the fields of expertise of the Women Divers Hall of Fame is diving media, yet few WDHOF Members are skilled in this field. Bonnie Toth is a premier diving media expert. Visual communication, Bonnie’s specialty, is an important key to raising awareness and projecting an image—and today more than ever, the marine environment, our oceans and the diving industry as a whole rely on Bonnie as a strategic partner in making this happen, and with a creative talent that makes her work sing. |
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Sue J. Trukken, 2002
Sue entered the Navy in 1978. To ensure an at-sea assignment, she became the first female diving officer and the first female mixed gas diver to graduate Naval School, Diving and Salvage, Washington Navy Yard. Later while at Navy Experimental Diving Unit she became the first female saturation diving officer. For most of her career she was the only female diver assigned to her command. During her Navy career Sue was a ship husbandry diver, experimental diver, salvage diver, diving safety officer and hyperbaric diver. |
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Ruth Turner, Ph.D., 2001
Ruth is one of the most academically published female marine researchers. She was the first female scientist to use Alvin, the deep submersible research sub for ocean research. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute recognized Ruth as the foremost female “Pioneer in Oceanography.” She was a biology professor, curator in malacology at Harvard University, Boston Sea Rovers Diver of the Year (1992), and the female aquanaut who logged the most hours in the Alvin. Ruth also worked with the US Navy Office of Oceanographic Research. |
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