Hi, I'm Mikaela Sweet, a first-year master's student, originally from Texas. I graduated from Baylor University with a BA in History before becoming a Duck. And I'm taking it "back to the U.S.S.R" (cue The Beatles)! My research specialties lie in the Soviet Union, primarily Russia, with particular interests in the history of women, motherhood, and families - how they interacted with the state, inherently altering the culture and structure of the Soviet Union. I came across this passion through an undergraduate project on the various roles Soviet women played in World War II. Their experiences, triumphs, struggles, and stories had a significant impact on me, and continue to motivate my research.