Valerie Putnam and Irene Chang
Recorded
August 4, 2025
34:59 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id:
mbb000654
Description
Valerie Putnam (80) speaks with her friend Irene Chang (62) about her life, past difficulties and traumas, gratitude, and how she came to ministry work and supporting the Korean church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.Subject Log / Time Code
Irene Chang explains that Valerie Putnam has been a part of their family since her family moved to Sioux Falls.
Valerie speaks about meeting Irene and working with the Korean church that met at Westminster Presbyterian Church and was led by Rev. Timothy Shin.
Irene speaks about the cultural needs of the Korean community from their church as a place of belonging.
Irene asks Valerie if she has always been Presbyterian.
Valerie explains that she grew up in the Ozarks and her parents got married before her father went to war.
Valerie says her father returned with PTSD and lots of anger. She was raised with fear and violence.
Valerie shares that their father beat them, and he was a pedophile.
Valerie says her mother left them when she was fifteen, she moved away. Valerie lasted a year and ran away at 16 to get to her mother.
Valerie knew her dad had a lawyer, and she visited her Dad's lawyer to ask for help. He advised her on how to get away.
Valerie remembers how at the first bus stop, she was arrested as a runaway. She told them to call her lawyer.
Valerie tells the story of getting a job as a waitress after making it to her mother in Oklahoma.
Valerie remembers that on her first day at work she met Mrs. Woods, the high school home economics teacher who asked her why she wasn't in school.
Valerie recalls how Mrs. Woods was able to talk her into going back to high school. When she finished, she went to nursing school.
Valerie remembers sharing her story with her congregation in a sermon on gratitude. The local genealogist said he'd be able to find Mrs. Woods, and he did. Valerie was able to speak to Mrs. Woods' daughter and express her gratitude.
Valerie shares why she became a nurse. She was a nurse for 25 years and a pastor for 30 years.
Participants
- Valerie Putnam
- Irene Chang