Valerie Phillips, Hospital Chaplain and Dean of Women

I became acquainted with Valerie Phillips while she was working as one of the first female chaplains at Battle Creek Sanitarium Hospital (1978-1980). At the beginning of my Senior year at Andrews, I had just changed my major to Religion and was invited to meet with the (few) female Seminary students. Val was the speaker. She spoke about the joys of her calling and of the challenges she faced as the first female chaplain in her hospital. She said the following words that have shaped my own ministry:

“Change won’t come by women screaming about their rights, but by the quality of their work.” 

I got permission to have Val come and speak for our first Lamson Hall “Womanhood Week.” Later that school year, Arlene Friestad, dean of women, asked Val to come and work on the residence hall staff. For 31 years Valerie blessed our campus with her ministry and by the quality of her work.

Valerie died on December 18, 2011 at the age of 56, but her words continue to live.