Attorney General's Communications Office Press Release:

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Attorney General Bill McCollum and the Florida Commission on the Status of Women today announced the upcoming induction ceremony for the Women's Hall of Fame, which will be held at the Florida Capitol on March 23, 2010. Governor Crist will induct Dr. Eugenie Clark, Ph.D., the late Claudine Ryce, and Dara Torres into the Florida Women's Hall of Fame as the 75th, 76th, and 77th inductees, respectively. The women were chosen by the Governor from 10 nominees selected by the Commission, which is housed within the Attorney General's Office.

"As we recognize Women's History Month, it is my privilege to honor these extraordinary Florida women," said Attorney General McCollum. "Our state, our communities, and our citizens have undoubtedly benefited from each of these women's values, achievements, and excellence."

Each year, the Commission nominates a selection of women for consideration, and final selection of the inductees is made by the Executive Office of the Governor. The Commission accepts nominations from the public for the Hall of Fame each year from April 1 - July 15. This is the 28th induction ceremony of the Florida Women's Hall of Fame, and the ceremony will be held on March 23, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. in Tallahassee.

"It is an honor for the Florida Commission on the Status Women to be involved in the recognition of women and their accomplishments," said Mona Jain, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Commission. "Their impact on all citizens of Florida provides evidence of the critical role that women have played in shaping our state."

Additional information on the three inductees is included below. More information about the Commission is available online at:
http://www.fcsw.net.

Dr. Eugenie Clark, of Sarasota, is known worldwide as "The Shark Lady." As an explorer, marine biologist and teacher, she is a perfect example of the heights women can attain in scientific study. In 1955, she founded a small marine laboratory that became the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, now a national center for shark and marine mammal research. A Professor Emerita at the University of Maryland, she is the recipient of many awards for exploration, science and education, including her 2008 induction into the International Explorer's Society. 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.

The late Claudine Ryce, of Miami, was a well-known part of the missing children's advocacy initiatives in Florida. From the time of her son's abduction and murder in 1995, she worked tirelessly to protect other children from the same fate. Her experiences led her to lobby for new sexual predator legislation, and in 1998 the Jimmy Ryce Act was passed unanimously and signed into law by the late Governor Lawton Chiles.
Claudine used her experience from her own tragedy to make a positive impact on her community and the country, and her successful efforts left an indelible imprint on legislation and policies that address missing children issues across the nation.

Dara Torres, of Coral Springs, is entered her first international swimming competition at age 14 and competed in her first Olympics in 1984. At the Beijing Games in 2008, Dara became the oldest swimmer to compete in the Olympics. In total, Dara has competed in five Olympic Games and has won 12 medals in her Olympic career. Her impressive performance in Beijing has inspired many older athletes to consider re-entering competition, including cyclist Lance Armstrong. Even after undergoing radical reconstructive surgery on her knee in fall of 2009, Dara has shown no signs of slowing down anytime soon and still says she will try for the
2012 London Olympics.