By Lt Ken Roland, Staff Writer
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — In Fort Lauderdale, a city rich in both civil rights history and athletic tradition, a proposed historical marker honoring long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad has sparked a heated and deeply personal debate—one that underscores the tension between honoring individual achievement and preserving collective memory.
At the center of the controversy is Las Olas Beach, a scenic stretch of sand that holds profound historical significance. It was here in 1961 that African American activists Eula Johnson and Dr. Von D. Mizell led the “Wade-Ins”—nonviolent protests that defied Jim Crow segregation laws and ultimately led to the desegregation of Broward County’s beaches in 1962. These events are etched into the soul of Fort Lauderdale’s Black community, representing a courageous chapter in the struggle for civil rights.
Now, decades later, a proposal to install a commemorative marker for Diana Nyad—a record-breaking swimmer best known for her 2013 Cuba-to-Florida swim—has ignited fierce opposition. Critics argue that placing Nyad’s marker at the entrance to Las Olas Beach, near the existing Wade-In Marker, risks overshadowing the profound historical importance of the site.
City records obtained through a public information request reveal that concerns were raised internally as early as March 2024. Then–Assistant City Manager Angela Salomon suggested relocating the marker to a more neutral location, such as the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center or the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF). Yet, this alternative was rejected by Nyad’s supporters.
Debby Eisinger, a representative advocating for the marker, defended the original location in an April 1 email: “There are many compelling reasons why the Las Olas Beach entrance was chosen. It has very specific symbolic and personal meaning for Diana Nyad, whose stellar swimming career began there as a child accompanied by her mother.”
Eisinger further argued that placing Nyad’s marker alongside the Wade-In Marker would create a “DEI site,” highlighting diversity, equity, and inclusion. But not everyone agrees with that vision.
Bruce Wigo, Olympic historian and former CEO of the ISHOF, flatly disputes Nyad’s claim to the site. “The story of her being inspired as a child and training in Fort Lauderdale is a complete fabrication,” he said. “Her own words in her 1978 autobiography, Other Shores, contradict this narrative. These new claims only began appearing after her 2013 swim.”
Wigo, along with several local historians and activists, worries that honoring Nyad at such a sensitive and historic location diminishes the sacrifices made by civil rights pioneers. “It would be a great travesty for this person to be recognized at a site so important to history,” he added.
The backlash has reverberated across the community. Local leaders and members of the Black community argue that they were not meaningfully consulted during the planning process.
“This site holds immense historical and emotional weight,” said one local activist. “To place a marker honoring someone whose story is in dispute—and who has no connection to the civil rights movement here—feels like a deep disregard for what this place represents.”
The ISHOF, despite being a natural fit for a swimming-related tribute, has also distanced itself from the effort. The institution has never formally recognized Nyad’s 2013 swim due to ongoing questions about the verification of her route and completion.
As Fort Lauderdale officials weigh the future of the marker, the controversy has sparked broader conversations about how cities choose to remember history—and who gets to shape that narrative.
At its core, the debate is not simply about geography or symbolism. It is about legacy. The wade-ins were not just local protests; they were part of a larger national movement that reshaped America. To place another story—especially one that remains contested—on top of that legacy without full community consensus risks rewriting the history that so many fought to preserve.
For now, the city has postponed a final decision. Many are calling for greater transparency, community engagement, and above all, respect for the voices of those who lived this history and continue to carry its weight.
As Fort Lauderdale considers how best to honor both past and present, one thing is clear: historical markers may be made of metal, but their meaning is forged in the hearts and memories of the people who walk beside them.
Lt. Ken Roland is a staff writer, community, activist and aquatic expert
City officials have yet to make a final decision on the marker’s placement.
