Fairbanks Tall Timbers Series: The Rev. Dr. Anna Frank

The Fairbanks Tall Timber Series honors those who have served the Fairbanks community well. Join veteran newsman Robert Hannon as he interviews The Rev. Dr. Anna Frank. Anna was born and raised in Old Minto, one of six siblings. At age 15, she left the village for Fairbanks with her husband, Richard Frank. They had a happy marriage until his death 57 years later. After raising their four children, she worked to create the first health education department for the Tanana Chiefs Conference in 1975. Recognizing her listening skills and gentle, common sense approach with people, TCC trained her in counseling, and so began a lifetime journey. She grew up in the Episcopal Church and became ordained as a deacon. Years later, she was asked to consider being ordained as a priest. Her counseling training had served her well and in 1983 she became the first Native American female Episcopal priest. In 2019, the Rev. Anna Frank received an honorary doctorate of law degree from UAF.