Valentina with her husband, mother, mother in law, and children, USSR, late 1970s

Valentina and daughter, 1972

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Valentina came to the United States, when she was 38 years old. Having a fully established life back in the USSR, she left her career, her mother, her twin sisters, friends and family all behind in pursuit of the American dream for her children. Like many immigrants, unable to travel back to her home country, Valentina went years without seeing her family and as her life continued in America, she missed out on the happenings back home.  Because of her commitments to family and her humble job at a discount store, she missed her mother’s funeral, celebrations and important milestones of her family and friends. Valentina’s story is the story of SACRIFICE.  

She left her career, her mother, her twin sisters, friends and family all behind in pursuit of the American dream for her children.