INNA BASINA: A Second Life of
Freedom
In
Russia, Judaism was Inna Basina's nationality. In New
York City, it was her religion. "Here it was not a
problem," said Inna's husband, Vladimir Basin.
Inna found her second life when her family settled in
Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, as refugees in 1994. "It was
freedom for her, freedom for our son," he said.
Inna took a job as a translator for AT&T. It
wasn't an ideal job, but it made ends meet. The couple
made it a point never to be on welfare; they were in the
United States for the opportunity, not handouts.
She worked nights while studying for a master's degree
in accounting at Pace University. She was a sharp
student, and a professor found her an accounting position
at J. P. Morgan before she graduated. She moved to Cantor
Fitzgerald in 1999.
Vladimir Basin would drop her off at the World Trade
Center on his way to work. On the morning of Sept. 11,
she was eager to buy a present for her son, Boris, whose
12th birthday was three days later. "Our son is the first
thing in our lives," Mr. Basin said. "Everything for
America was for family and son, not because she liked
accounting."
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