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Born and raised in the Soviet Union, Valentina Fominykh moved to Iowa in 1990 and has since established herself in her new home, Des Moines. “For a person who only 18 years ago was a Soviet citizen, to become president of Humanities Iowa is pretty impressive,” Fominykh said. On June 13 Fominykh was elected to her new role as president of the 19-member board for Humanities Iowa and plans to make it her full-time job. “It is a full-time position for me, because when I take something on it becomes a full-time job and a full-time involvement.”

What is the mission of Humanities Iowa?

What Humanities Iowa is doing in this state, and around the country, is making sure that we are remembering our past and are projecting our best values into the future. We want to make sure that the stories of the people who came and settled here are heard, appreciated and shared. And this is our main mission – to take the stories that are valuable to the state, and to the country, and make them live on.

How did you get involved in the Humanities Iowa board?

I am a gubernatorial appointee, and our board is comprised of governor appointees and public members, which gives us a very good mix that comes from both our executive branch but also from the grass roots. The Humanities Iowa board is central when it comes to promoting peace and understanding and culture and tolerance, so I was not really shocked when I received the call from the governor’s office asking me to serve on the Humanities Iowa board three years ago.

What is the main goal of Humanities Iowa?

We want Humanities Iowa to be present and visible not only in Des Moines, or in major areas like the culture corridor, which is Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, but also on the outskirts of the state. This is our goal – help the big and the small.

What will you do as president?

Not one single person can make or break any situation. It is in collaboration that you can really count on success and moving forward. We all know that practically any organization, even the best existing out there, always needs a fresh look and a fresh touch and some bold ideas. And we are ready for that with Humanities Iowa. As president, you bring the best and the boldest ideas and test them and bring them to the attention of the board, hoping that the board will support you in making some changes.

How did you make your first dollar?

When I first came here, the Americans thought that I was being paid by the Soviet Academy of Sciences, and the Soviets thought because I was in America I was being taken care of by the Americans. So for quite a while, I had absolutely no money to live on. And my first $20 that I had in my pocket when I came here was spent on buying three Snickers to a dollar at Walgreen’s and having one for breakfast, one for lunch and one for dinner. By the end of the month, and even now, I have a hard time looking at Snickers.

What is one thing you never leave the house without?

Wherever I go I have a picture of my mom and a picture of my son, because this is my connection to the past and to the future. My mom is not here anymore, but it’s what I take with me. It’s on a sentimental side.

What’s your morning routine?

As soon as my kitty, Dasha, wakes me up demanding to go outside, I turn on the television to see what’s happening in the news department. And then, it’s to my computer to check the Russian news. Then of course, my cup of coffee.