Harris, Barbara Clementine

Harris, Barbara Clementine, 1930–2020, American Episcopal bishop, b. Philadelphia. An African American, Harris was active in the civil-rights movement in the 1960s (and remained active in social causes) and campaigned for the full involvement of women in the Anglican clergy. She joined the Sun Company (now Sunoco) in 1968, becoming its chief public relations executive. After studying at the Metropolitan Collegiate Center and Villanova Univ. (1977–79), she was ordained as an Episcopal deacon (1979) and priest (1980). She served as parish priest and prison chaplain, and was executive director (1984–88) of the Episcopal Church Publishing Company. In 1989 Harris was consecrated suffragan (assistant) bishop of Massachusetts, becoming the first woman to serve as a bishop in the Anglican Communion. After retiring in 2002, she was an assisting bishop (2003–7) in Washington, D.C.

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