Margie Heintz, Kristy Gazes & Phyllis Caro
In a beautifully decorated and sold out ballroom, the Women in Poker Hall of Fame sponsored by Lord Griffon Jewelry produced a memorable and fitting tribute to these well accomplished women. Kicking off the event was a hosted cocktail party and silent auction benefiting PokerGives.org. Lisa and Mark Tenner hosted the cocktail hour in support of Congresswoman Shelley Berkley’s run for 2012 US Senate. Congresswoman Berkley opened the ceremony with remarks about her support of poker players and our right to play online poker. She gave praise to our honorees for paving the way for other women in the industry to make a mark as well.
Fellow Hall of Famer herself, our Mistress of Ceremony Jan Fisher kept the audience in stiches with her personal stories and fun pokes at the inductees. She even dug up footage of Kristy Gazes who used to produce a blog from her bathtub for our enjoyment. If you would like to take a look, here is the link http://youtu.be/63j5GBWDBxo .
Annie Duke, Commissioner of Epic Poker League was the keynote speaker. She shared her stories of her childhood and the competitive nature of her family. She felt that spirit of competition and a mother who believed so strongly in her was the platform which allowed her to enter and succeed in the poker world. She also issued a challenge to women poker players. Women are only 3% of the playing field at the World Series of Poker main event. That number hasn’t changed in 10 years. So, in order to show solidarity in women poker players she challenges us to enter into an open event collectively to raise the percentage to prove women are here to compete at this level of the game.
Each inductee took the stage and shared a bit about their careers as well as giving thanks to their families and friends who have supported them along the way… if you weren’t there to hear it? YOU MISSED IT! So fun, entertaining and moving for sure! The evening wrapped up with the inductees receiving the “Dion Award” which represents the Women in Poker Hall of Fame. Then it was time for some dancing, photos and fun!