text: In 1976 (give or take), an Episcopal bishop irregularly ordained 11 women (who would always be known as "The Philadelphia 11). It was the beginning of regular ordination for women in The EC Church.  But, regardless of Episcopal women bishops (VERY few), Episcopal women priests have, for the most part, remained second-class citizens.  They tend to be only associate rectors, interim rectors, priests-in-charge -- not full-fledged rectors of their own congregation; and it's not going to get better any time soon.  ////  Around 1998, I joined The EC for about three years.  My parish had a woman asst. rector.  I got the women of the parish together, and we 're-ordained' Ellen in the parish basement.  We used a ritual out of Carter Heyward's "Speaking of Christ" book.  (Heyward was one of The Phil 11, and it's a great book.)  It was hardly official, of course -- Ellen didn't need another ordination -- but it made the women of the parish (over 80 attended and participated) feel SO good.