Joann Ray has lived a life of struggle. After growing up on a farm in Temple Hill, Iowa, she went on to face multiple marriages and divorces. She worked three jobs while raising eight children and found time to go back to school and earn a nursing degree.
Earlier this month she stopped by the StoryCorps mobile booth in Des Moines with her son Steve Riley to talk about Steve’s childhood and Joann’s career path.
Story Corps is a national initiative to record and collect stories of everyday people.
StoryCorps Listening Party
Thursday, August 31 at 7:00 p.m.
State Historical Museum of Iowa
Iowa Public Radio will host an evening to celebrate StoryCorps' Iowa visit, where together we will listen to the voices of Iowa, previewing some of the incredible life experiences and family connections shared during the MobileBooth's stop in Des Moines. Hosted by IPR's Charity Nebbe, this event will give you the opportunity to hear from StoryCorps producers and listen to excerpts of stories told by your own friends and neighbors!
This event is free and open to the public. Space is limited, so please RSVP. Join us for an intimate evening of listening and sharing.