The Women Divers Hall of Fame (WDHOF), a non-profit organization founded to support women who shape the world of diving, announced today at the DEMA Show the Beneath the Sea Ocean Pals Scholarship. Established for teenagers ages 13 through 18 who want to explore the underwaterworld, the US scholarship is available to both young women and men.
WDHOF also announced two other new scholarships. The new Cecelia Connely Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a qualified woman undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in an accredited course of study in the field of Underwater Archeology. The Hugh Fletcher Memorial Scholarship will be awarded in 2004 to a disabled diver to further their dive training or provide them with assistance with adaptive gear. In odd numbered years, the scholarship will be awarded to a dive master, assistant instructor or instructor to learn to supervise or teach the disabled to dive.
To support these scholarships, WDHOF hosted a major fundraising event in Miami Thursday, October 9,2003. Sylvia Earle was present at the event to accept her award into the Women Divers Hall of Fame. The gala event was a huge success, well attended and supported by Wyland, DUI, PST Scuba, Rick Lesser & Associates, Dive Travel Resource Group, Dive Paradise and many others.
WDHOF provides educational and financial support for individuals of all ages who wish to pursue higher education & training, further their career goals, and seek out opportunities in the marine and diving related industries. Currently WDHOF offers seven scholarships. For information, applications and eligibilty requirements visit www.wdhof.org . Application deadline for all scholarships is November 15, 2003.
The members of WDHOF are an elite group that includes the most notable women leaders and innovators in the diving community. It became the goal of it’s founders to recognize and honor, while raising public awareness of these women’s exceptional contributions. WDHOF was founded and continues to be a collaborative effort on behalf of Beneath the Sea, Hillary Viders, Ph.D., the Underwater Society of America, The Women Scuba Association and Women Underwater Ezine.
