Chieko N. Okazaki
| Chieko N. Okazaki | |
|---|---|
| First Counselor in the general presidency of the Relief Society | |
| March 31, 1990 – April 5, 1997 | |
| Called by | Elaine L. Jack |
| Predecessor | Joy F. Evans |
| Successor | Virginia U. Jensen |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Chieko Nishimura October 21, 1926 Hawaii, United States |
| Died | August 1, 2011 (aged 84) Salt Lake City, Utah, United States |
| Cause of death | Congestive heart failure |
| Resting place | Mountain View Memorial Estates 40°36′41″N 111°48′14″W / 40.6113°N 111.8040°W |
| Spouse(s) | Edward Y. Okazaki |
| Children | 2 |
| Parents | Kanenori and Hatsuko Nishimura |
Chieko Nishimura Okazaki (October 21, 1926 – August 1, 2011) was an American writer, educator, and religious leader. She served as first counselor to Elaine L. Jack in the Relief Society general presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1990 to 1997. She was the first person of color to serve in an LDS Church general organization presidency, as well as the first woman to serve in all three of the women-led organizations at a general church level: the general boards of the Young Women (1961-66) and Primary (1988-1990), along with the Relief Society.
Okazaki was born and raised in Hawaii as a Buddhist, the daughter of Hawaii-born parents of Japanese descent. As a child her mother, Hatsuko Nishimura, taught her the principle of kigatsuku—or doing what you know you should do without being told to do it. At the age of fifteen, after attending church meetings for some four years, she was baptized into the LDS Church. Professionally, she was an educator and taught in Hawaii, Utah, and Colorado, and was also an elementary school principal.