After months of dedicated efforts by community members across Falls Church City, the Marian Costner Selby Peace Garden was officially unveiled on May 18th. The new fifth floor garden space honors Selby — a trailblazer in local history — as the first African American student to attend and graduate from George Mason High School.
The Peace Garden is meant to spread awareness about Selby’s experience, as well as the history of segregation in Falls Church. It includes a mural of Selby as a high school student, a silhouette of Selby, history panels curated to tell her life story, sunflower decals on the windows, park benches, and plant boxes.
The artist chosen to create the mural is Asia Anderson, who dedicated months of her time to develop a wall-sized depiction of high school Selby. She explained her desire for the mural and the impact she wants the Peace Garden to have on students.
“I hope that people think about how they can be a change, because Marion in that garden, she had to walk alone. So, I hope that people will think about that, and reach out to others so that they don’t have to be alone,” Anderson commented.
During the ceremony, Selby spoke out, outlining her appreciation for FCCPS and the importance teachers place on learning history.
“The City of Falls Church has done something that I really appreciate. The City of Falls Church has embraced history, not only black history, but history…and they’re making sure that it’s told truthfully,” Selby said.
Selby later outlined how she wants the garden to be an inspiring depiction of her life and her values. However, she emphasized the importance of not making the garden all about her.
“I want it to be a positive reflection, when they look at the garden, and they see my name, I want them to remember it’s not all about me, it’s what’s coming after me,” Selby observed.
The Peace Garden is symbolically represented on the fifth floor with a purpose — as there is intent behind every detail. Superintendent Dr. Peter Noonan explained his vision and the purpose behind its creation.
“We really envisioned this space to be a place…where kids could come and commune, and be together… My hope is that this garden represents the hope for all students that your future is going to be very different from the future that many of our previous generations had, and that we’ll never, ever, make the same mistakes that we made previous times,” Noonan noted.
Selby’s son gave an emotional speech during the ceremony and presented her with a bouquet of flowers – outlining the metaphorical significance behind each flower. A lily, he explained, symbolizes resilience, strength, and innocence. While a sunflower represents hope and positivity – as well as overcoming challenges. The gladiolus — associated with the sun — is a representation of strength, honor, growth, and bright beginnings.
Sophomore Haleluya Woldemicael attended the celebration and spoke about the value behind the Peace Garden opening.
“It’s not just about teaching black history, but it’s more about teaching history in general, and telling the truth, and I think it’s really important, because it’s good to be aware of the past, because if we’re not aware of the past, then we are going to repeat certain mistakes in the future.”
