Evangelical Lutheran Church in America elects Rev. Elizabeth Eaton as 1st female leader

Reverend Elizabeth Eaton was elected Presiding Bishop of the Chicago-based denomination.

The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations.

Eaton takes over at a time of major transition.

In 2009, the denomination cleared the way for openly gay and lesbian ordination.