Florida Announces Women’s Hall Of Fame Inductees
Governor Charlie Crist today announced three women to be inducted into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame.
Governor Crist selected the women from a list of 10 finalists, presented to him by the Florida Commission on the Status of Women.
“The leadership of these women is what helps to make Florida such a wonderful state,” Governor Crist said. “Their remarkable achievements have improved their communities and the entire Sunshine State, and they deserve great praise for their dedication. It is a privilege to recognize their contributions through the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame.”
Dr. Eugenie Clark
Dr. Eugenie Clark of Sarasota is known worldwide as “The Shark Lady.” As an explorer, marine biologist and teacher, she founded a small marine laboratory in 1955. Now the Mote Marine Laboratory, the lab is a national center for shark and marine mammal research. Currently a Professor Emerita at the University of Maryland, she has received many awards for exploration, science and education, including her 2008 induction into the International Explorer’s Society. Dr. Clark has produced documentaries for the National Geographic Society, including “The Sharks,” and “About Shark.” She has been an honorary member of more than 20 marine organizations such as the Society of Women Geographers, National Geographic Society, and Underwater Society of America. Dr. Clark also serves as counsel and adviser for many environmental associations on a host of marine biology issues. Dr. Clark continues to lead diving expeditions to many parts of the world in search of new knowledge about the nature and habits of ocean animals.
Claudine Ryce
Miami-native Claudine Ryce, mother of Jimmy Ryce, was a well-known missing children’s advocate. After Jimmy’s death, she extensively campaigned for enhanced sexual predator legislation in Florida. In 1996, she created the Jimmy Ryce Center for Victims of Predatory Abduction, a nonprofit organization that educates parents and children about child safety. Claudine also successfully lobbied for the passage of the Jimmy Ryce Act, which was passed unanimously in 1998 by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by former Governor Lawton Chiles. This act requires sexually violent predators to be indefinitely and involuntarily committed to a secure facility for treatment. She was also a founding member of Team Hope, a group of parents of abducted children who provide support and assistance to other parents and families during a child abduction investigation.
Dara Torres
Dara Torres is a world-renowned female swimmer, Olympian, and television network sports commentator. At 14-years old, the Florida native entered her first international swimming competition, and at 17-years old competed in her first Olympics where she won an Olympic gold medal in the 4×100 meter freestyle relay. She attended the University of Florida and in 1999, was inducted into the university’s Athletics Hall of Fame. In 2005, Dara was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and the Florida Chapter of the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2009. At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Dara became the oldest swimmer to compete in the Olympics and took home three silver medals. To date, the University of Florida alum has competed in five Olympic Games, set three-world records, and won 12 medals throughout her Olympic career. Dara has also provided sports analysis on Good Morning America, ESPN, Fox News Channel, NBC and other networks. She also serves as a national ambassador for the Parent Teacher Association, focusing on promoting and emphasizing the importance of health and wellness to youth. Governor Crist appointed Dara to serve as an honorary member of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness.
About the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame
In 1992, the Florida Legislature established the Women’s Hall of Fame to be located on the Plaza Level of the Capitol, where the names of the inductees are permanently displayed. Under the law, the Florida Commission on the Status of Women is required each year to nominate 10 women to the Governor, who selects up to three for induction. To be considered for induction into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame, the inductee must be a woman who was born in Florida or adopted Florida as her home state and base of operation, and has made significant contributions to the improvement of life for all citizens of Florida.
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