Jefferts Schori, Katharine (1954-…), was elected presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States in 2006. She became the first woman to head a church in the Anglican Communion. Prior to her election, Jefferts Schori served as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada. She has a reputation for taking liberal positions on social issues and is especially noted for her work with Hispanic congregations.
Katharine Jefferts was born on March 26, 1954, in Pensacola, Florida. In 1979, she married Richard M. Schori, a college math teacher. She earned a Ph.D. degree in oceanography from Oregon State University in 1983. Before her ordination as an Episcopal priest in 1994, Jefferts Schori worked with the National Marine Fisheries Service in Seattle. She also taught religious studies and worked as a visiting scientist at Oregon State University. Jefferts Schori earned a D.D. degree from Church Divinity School of the Pacific in 2001. The same year, she was consecrated bishop of Nevada. In that position, she served a diocese of about 6,000 members in 35 congregations.
See also Episcopal Church .
