For Rutgers-Camden librarian Regina Koury, the war in Ukraine hits close to home. Her mother lives there.

"It seems like the last two days our conversations are more ‘Mom, be careful’ and then you hope this is not the last time you're talking,” Koury says.

Koury was born in Siberia and lived in Ukraine. She is now forced to watch the war with Russia play out from New Jersey. She checks in on her mother sometimes twice a day.

“She went to buy bread today, so there was one loaf of bread per family. So she was able to get bread, which is great,” Koury.

Her mother is safe for now, but others are fleeing their home.

“For women and children, it’s terrible,” Koury says.

Koury says what she wants people in New Jersey and in the United States to know is just what everyday life is currently like for people in Ukraine.

“You go to buy bread and they might be shelling or bombing and you might die. This is intense,” she says.

Koury says that she is amazed by the kindness of Americans and those in other countries rushing in to help.

And her wish on International Women’s Day?

“I really wish there was more presentation of women in peace talks between Russia and Ukraine,” she says. “I feel like women might have a different, softer approach or perspective."

Koury is the director of the Paul Robeson Library at Rutgers-Camden.