Daughter of WWII Concentration Camp Detainee Becomes First Asian American Female Episcopal Bishop
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A 61-year-old woman, whose family suffered during World War II due to their Japanese ancestry, became the first Asian American woman consecrated as a bishop in the Episcopal Church earlier this year.
Historic ordination: Rt. Rev. Diana Akiyama, ordained as the 11th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon on Jan. 30 in Portland, was elected out of four candidates during an online convention, according to Oregon Live.
A graduate of the University of Oregon, Akiyama once considered pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology but was eventually drawn to the priesthood.
JENNIFER MOODY
For the E
Thanks to the online consecration of Bishop Diana Akiyama, fiber artist Karen Miller of Corvallis is pretty sure just about every Episcopalian in the country has now seen her work.
Sheâs not sure yet whether thatâs a good thing.
âIt was absolutely the trickiest design and application process I have ever undertaken,â Miller said of the vestments she made for the newly-consecrated bishop.
Still, if asked, she might do it again â depending on the situation.
âAll of that was a learning experience for me,â she added, âbut I think she was just beyond thrilled with the results. And that really made me happy, that I was able to translate her vision into something she was comfortable wearing.â