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There seem to be fresh winds blowing across the church. Things thought to be impossible a short time ago are coming to be," preached Barbara Harris in the fall of 1988. She was referring to her own imminent consecration as the first woman bishop in the history of the Episcopal Church. But traditionalists weren't upset just about Harris' sex. She also happened to be a black, non- college-educated divorcee with some fairly radical beliefs. While still a laywoman, Harris led the procession at the 1974 protest ritual in which her church's first women priests were illicitly ordained. Continuing to rail against the church for its racism, sexism and homophobia, Harris, who used to work as the top public relations executive at Sun Oil, had become a champion of the downtrodden and disparaged. "I would bring a sensitivity to the needs of different kinds of people, including minorities, women, the incarcerated, the poor and other marginalized groups," said the Philadelphia native shortly before her narrow victory in an acrimonious election as assistant bishop. Since her precedent-shattering achievement, however, the 60-year-old Harris has managed to quiet even her harshest detractors. Refusing to become an "international Anglican gadfly," she says her priority is to carry out her Boston-area pastoral and sacramental duties. Amen.
Josie Natori
Fashion Tycoon
Before Josie Natori married, her father told husband-to-be Ken that there were "two things that you have to know in this family. One, that my wife is the commander in chief and, two, that my mother-in-law is the supreme commander in chief." Natori, 43, must rank as at least a five-star general. Merrill Lynch's first female investment banker, Natori rose to vice president of the company before leaving in 1977 to create her own firm. She started small, working in her New York City apartment, designing and selling fine lingerie. In a pinch, she even packed the orders herself. Today Natori Co. has splashy headquarters in midtown Manhattan, a boutique in Paris and sales of over $25 million annually. Surrounded by models showing off her pricey fashions, Natori has lost none of her enthusiasm. She is on many boards, including the Committee of 200, a group of women entrepreneurs who head multimillion-dollar companies. She keeps close ties to her native Philippines, and helped raise relief funds after this summer's earthquake. "I play many roles," she says. "I'm head of this business, a wife, a daughter with family obligations, and mother of a 14 1/2-year-old son. I have a lot of jobs, but each has been by my own choice." Four years ago, as business was rapidly expanding, the president talked a top Wall Street executive into leaving his post to become her company's chairman. His name: Ken Natori.
Jane Ira Bloom
Saxophonist