Mal Cha Porter

Mal's beautiful journey began in Busan, South Korea in 1943. She was one of six children, landed in the harsh reality of a Korea reeling from the wounds of war. Against the backdrop of this scarcity, at the tender age of thirteen, Mal, not the first born, not a son, but an unassuming middle child became the bedrock of her family, selling Gim Bap (rolled rice) at the train station. These meager earnings became sustenance for the family she loved so dearly.

As we trace Mal's journey from that little girl in Busan, who went to bed hungry night after night, to the radiant woman who stepped foot in the U.S. in 1980 with only $100 and dreams in her pocket, one can’t ignore her impeccable strength, resilience, and zest for life. She worked remarkably hard, owned several businesses, and even in times of plenty, she never forgot her humble beginnings nor the hunger that she had once known. This fueled her empathy, leading her to help families suffering from food insecurity, especially children.

She was, by all means, a proud patriot, a beacon of hope and endurance, balancing a quiet confidence with an innate kindness that she bestowed upon everyone who crossed her path. With love and patience, she raised two daughters installing in them the untiring belief in their strength, resilience, and potential. Behind her ever-present smile, she faced many health challenges, including an uphill battle with lung cancer. But she fought bravely, never wavering, never giving in to despair. Always believing in possibilities even in the face of overwhelming odds. She lived life on her terms.

As a little girl who went to bed hungry in the city of Busan to the strong woman who opened her heart and doors to families in need, every step of Mal's journey was defined by fierce determination and boundless love. Her life story is not just an embodiment of the American Dream, but it is the human capacity to rise from pain, to dare to care, and to be more than what our circumstances dictate.