WDHOF was created in 1999 by six founding sponsors: Beneath the Sea, Inc.; the Underwater Society of America; the Women’s Scuba Association; Women Underwater; Hillary Viders, Ph.D.; and Capt. Kathy A. Weydig. The goal of the Founders was to recognize and honor these accomplishments, while raising public awareness of these women’s exceptional contributions. Each founder has continued to play a huge role in WDHOF and been instrumental in it's evolution from the original concept into becoming one of the leading non-profit organizations in the diving community that it is today.