We recently sat down with volunteer Donna Conaway to learn more about what inspired her to become an NBG volunteer and to reflect on her time spent in the Garden.
Donna has been volunteering at NBG since late 2018. After attending the WPA Heritage event, Donna was inspired by the history of the Garden. She was especially inspired by the knowledge that majority of the workforce that built Norfolk Botanical Garden was a group of more than 200 African American women and 20 men assigned to the WPA’s Azalea Garden project. In many ways, Black men and women contributed so much in our historic past with little recognition, and Donna was moved by the Garden’s recognition of the WPA workers and the honoring of their surviving family members, which compels her to volunteer here in her retirement.
After she retired, Donna became a dedicated volunteer here at NBG. While she had little gardening experience prior, she has learned a lot during her time here with the horticulture staff. Donna enjoys working with Sarah in the WOW Children’s Garden, talking to the public about the Garden’s history, and the immediate satisfaction of cutbacks. Donna refers to NBG as an “Oasis of Peace” and finds her time here soothing and peaceful.
We here at Norfolk Botanical Garden are inspired by Donna’s story and appreciate all that she has contributed to the garden in recognition to those who started it all. Thank you Donna!
