Women in Poker Hall of Fame opens voting for 2009 nominations

The Women in Poker Hall of Fame was founded on May 1^st, 2007 by Lupe Soto, founder of the Ladies International Poker Series (LIPS) as an effort to raise awareness and to honor and recognize the contributions and achievements of women in poker. Besides Soto, the team behind the Women in Poker Hall of Fame also includes, professional player Karina Jett, professional player and industry professional Allyn Jaffrey Shulman, professional player and poker industry professional Maureen Feduniak, Director of Marketing at Ocean's Eleven Casino Suzanne Carter, and production manager and poker player Gyla Whitlow.

Last year's event was hosted by Mike Sexton and featured keynote speaker Jan Fisher. The event, held at Binion's in Las Vegas, was organized by Professional Event Director Gyla Whitlow and featured the induction of Barbara Enright, Linda Johnson, Marsha Waggoner, and Susie Isaacs, all who have played an important role in the recognition of women in the mainly masculine world of professional poker. This year, the WiPHoF partnered with Poker Gives, a charity organization created by poker industry leaders with the mission of raising funds through the poker world to help a series of charity efforts by providing funds and social services.

To qualify for a nomination, candidates must be at least 15 years as an active player or collaborator and have contributed to enhance the role of female players the world of poker in some significant way. The nominees can qualify based on their performances on major poker tournaments, or by making significant contributions to the industry of poker. The contender must be a proponent of women's poker, and even if she does not play in women only events, she must support them. Only active members can nominate candidates for the 2009 Hall of Fame, membership is comprised of any person who is interested in poker as a professional or recreational player, poker industry professional or overall fan of the game.

The 2009 Inductees will be announced on April 1^st, 2009.