Joy Carroll was one of the first women to be ordained as a priest in the
Church of England in 1994. She worked in
London in this capacity for 10 years. She was advisor, inspiration, and role model for
Richard Curtis for his comedy series "
The Vicar of Dibley". Her book, "Beneath the Cassock: the Real Life Vicar of Dibley" describes her life as a priest. Since moving to the United States, she has become licensed as a priest in the
Episcopal Church.