The Women Divers Hall of Fame to Welcome Seven New Members in 2024

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, Underwater Archaeology, Media, Service, Dive Training and Education, Safety, Business, Marine Environment and Conservation, Free Diving, Commercial Diving, and Military Diving.

Ronnie Damico — California, USA

Instructor, Scientific Diving Officer, NAUI Board Member 

Ronnie Damico is a female pioneer in the field of diving safety and leadership.  In 1979, she became Diving Officer for the USC Catalina Marine Science Center (CMSC). She was also a Chamber Treatment – Team Supervisor.   In 1985, she became the Diving Safety Officer for California State University, Long Beach, plus DSO for the Ocean Studies Institute, overseeing scientific diving for six campuses.  As a frequent instructor-trainer, she often was the sole female on staff. An acknowledged leader, she served as NAUI Branch Manager, 1987-1989. She was a Program or Conference Director for international conferences and early consumer dive shows in southern California. She was elected to several boards including NAUI’s Board of Directors, 1990-1993.

Elizabeth Kintzing — Maine, USA

Educator, Scientific Diver, Ocean Advocate

A scuba class changed Liz’s life plans — she couldn’t get enough of all things under water. Maintaining an interest in diving medicine during graduate work at UNH, Liz taught scuba as a NAUI instructor and conducted research at the UNH hyperbaric chamber. Liz is a facilitator of diving and underwater science. She has trained over a thousand students in scuba and scientific diving. Liz has mentored many students, encouraging them to become diving scientists, technicians in a science diving lab, as well as diving instructors and DSOs for academic institutions around the world. Saturation in Aquarius, diving under the ice in Antarctica, and using CCRs to conduct research in 100m coral reef environments are highlights of her 35+ year career.

Laura Marroni — Italy

Diving Safety Advocate, Tech and Cave Diver, NGO Manager

Laura Marroni, a Bachelor of Economics and MBA graduate, is an extraordinary individual fueled by a deep passion for the underwater realm. Having grown up by the sea, she embarked on her diving journey at the tender age of eight. Today, she stands as a highly skilled technical and cave diver, and a fervent advocate for advancements in the safety of professional and recreational diving. As the Executive Vice President at DAN Europe, Laura takes the lead in various research projects focused on understanding the physiological effects of diving on the human body. Her ultimate aim is to enhance safety measures in all types of diving and make diving an increasingly accessible and sustainable activity.

Mikki McComb-Kobza, Ph.D. — Colorado, USA

Explorer, Conservationist, Educator

Mikki transformed her childhood fascination with sharks into a lifelong career of shark conservation and advocacy. The environmental changes witnessed as a diver over 40 years became inspiration to train new divers as lifelong ocean supporters. Her doctoral work authoritatively described how the hammerhead shark visualizes its world. Today, Mikki uses innovative techniques and citizen science to increase understanding of white shark behavior and distribution. She has promoted hope and action to over 500,000 people as Executive Director of Ocean First Institute. Mikki has spread her message through National Geographic, Shark Week, NPR, and CBC National Radio Canada. She serves as adjunct faculty at CU Boulder, President of the American Elasmobranch Society, and National Fellow of the Explorers Club.

Robyn McGinn — Virginia, USA

Navy Diving Program Manager, Diving Life Support Systems Technical Expert, Navy Deep Sea Diver

Massachusetts Maritime Academy Summa Cum Laude graduate Robyn McGinn graduated Navy Dive School as “CLASS HONOR WOMAN,” the first government civilian employee woman to receive that designation.  Robyn is a recognized technical expert and respected professional in Navy diving, serving as the Diving Life Support Systems Program Manager for the Navy’s Supervisor of Salvage and Diving.  She supports DoD/GOVT diving programs and foreign militaries, facilitating outfitting of diving equipment and training internationally.  She is responsible for ensuring military diving equipment is built, evaluated, tested, and maintained in accordance with the Navy’s technical standards, so that divers have safe and effective equipment to perform their missions.  She also manages the Navy’s Diving Depot and ISEA, providing services to Navy Diving worldwide.

Penelope Powell (1904-1965) — UK, posthumous

First Woman Cave Diver, Co-Author of First Cave Diving Book

Penelope (“Mossy”) Powell was a pioneering British cave diver. She was Diver No. 2 for the first successful cave 

dive using breathing equipment in Britain, at Wookey Hole Caves in the Mendip Hills, Somerset, on 14 July 1935. She co-wrote the first cave diving book, The Log of the Wookey Hole Exploration Expedition: 1935. 

Samantha Whitcraft — Florida, USA

Conservation Biologist, Oceans Advocate, Environmentalist

Samantha Whitcraft is a marine conservation biologist, environmentalist, and oceans advocate. Logging 5000+ research and educational dives around the world, she created the first classroom-at-sea in Gardens of the Queen National Park, Cuba. After earning her Bachelor’s in natural science at Harvard and her Master of Marine Affairs & Policy at University of Miami, she worked to legally protect endangered marine species, especially sharks, whales, and manatees. She’s studied coral reef MPAs’ connectivity and investigated the shark fin trade in China all while promoting sustainable ecotourism over her 30+ year career. Whitcraft initiated and developed Aggressor Adventures® award-winning sustainability program, Green the Fleet®, and is Executive Director of the Sea of Change Foundation, providing leadership in community-based conservation, globally.

WDHOF, a 501(c)(3) corporation, was founded in 2000. WDHOF’s mission is to recognize the contributions of outstanding women divers and to offer financial assistance and mentorship to individuals interested in pursuing diving careers. As such, WDHOF offers numerous scholarships and training grants each year. For more information about or to contribute to the WDHOF scholarship program, log on to www.wdhof.org/scholarships.