REEF Co-Executive Director, Dr. Christy Pattengill-Semmens, was recently welcomed to the Women Divers Hall of Fame (WDHOF) in celebration of her achievements in ocean citizen science, education, and conservation. Although WDHOF was not able to hold their usual formal induction ceremony for Christy or the other five inductees of the Class of 2021 (or for the Class of 2020), Christy received her WDHOF pin in a short ceremony held at a DEMA awards dinner last month in Las Vegas. Christy was pinned by Michele Hall, an award-winning documentarian and IMAX film maker who was inducted to WDHOF in 2000. Even though Christy was just inducted this year, she was also voted by fellow members to serve on the WDHOF Board of Directors. Congratulations, Christy!
The members of WDHOF form an elite group that includes the most notable women leaders and innovators in the diving community. There are 250 members hailing from 30 U.S. states and Territories and 22 countries worldwide. REEF's own Board Chair, Anna DeLoach, was inducted as a WDHOF member in 2011. WDHOF recognizes the contributions of women pioneers, leaders and innovators in the many fields of diving. It works to promote careers & opportunities for women in the dive community. This is primarily achieved through scholarships and grants awarded annually to almost 50 individuals. To learn more about WDHOF, visit their website at www.wdhof.org.