In 1948, Time magazine praised George Marshall for “giving hope to those who needed it” through the Marshall Plan. To put it another way, the program secured by Marshall’s efforts supplied people with more than funds for rebuilding their war-torn world. It supplied them with reason to believe that their war-torn world could be rebuilt. In this sense, one of Marshall’s greatest contributions as Secretary of State was giving people the hope that enabled them to see beyond the destruction immediately before them into a future of post-war possibilities.
Marshall’s legacy of hope makes his home a fitting place to support the efforts of those inspiring hope during our own times of trouble and uncertainty. In February, Virginia artist Diane Canney set up her COVID HOPE Quilt project on the grounds of Dodona Manor. The eight-foot-tall display invites passers-by to survey the faces of those fighting on the frontlines of the pandemic. The quilt depicts more than just Americans with the skills to combat the virus; it also shows viewers Americans with the resilience to persevere beyond it.
Canney’s project reminds us to look beyond the disruption of a world with COVID to a future where we can rebuild our lives and communities.
The COVID HOPE Quilt project will be on display at Dodona Manor until the end of March. Canney is welcoming nominations for military service members, EMTs, firefighters, police officers, sanitation workers, social workers, teachers, grocery workers, hospitality workers and eldercare workers. Share your nomination at hopequilt.org/portraits.
