Peggy Cornett

I went to graduate school at the Longwood program, which is part of Longwood Gardens and the University of Delaware, and my advisors really thought I could do more than I ever thought I could. They thought I was a pretty good writer, and the program was a general garden program with nothing on garden history really, but they encouraged me to pursue that as a career. I think that was probably good advice for me. I also think it's about hard work and not being afraid of that, and trying to achieve. I really try to focus on getting the right answers and focus on research. That's a lot of what I do. The main thing is not to be afraid, just keep working. A lot of people ask me about retirement since I'm 70, but I don't know what else I would do. I always feel like I'm getting up to not a job, but something that I love to do, and I think that'll take it a long way.

I went to graduate school at the Longwood program, which is part of Longwood Gardens and the University of Delaware, and my advisors really thought I could do more than I ever thought I could. They thought I was a pretty good writer, and also to really just kind of focus. The program was a general garden program and garden history was really not part of it, but I was encouraged to pursue that as a career. I think that was probably good advice for me.

I think it's a tough industry for everyone, and for women especially. When I first started, I really kind of worked in departments with all men. Now, it's a lot more diversified. I think women are really strong, and they shouldn't be afraid of their own physical strength, as well as their internal fortitude or whatever. I feel really lucky to be able to have a career that included a lot of my personal skills. I think the thing is just to pursue what you love. You always feel like you're getting up to not a job, but something that you love to do, and I think that'll take it a long way.

I think a lot of people are a lot more interested in gardening than ever before. I think there was a real turnaround where people got interested in nature and the outdoors, especially after COVID. That really exploded our mail order sales and everything. I think kind of riding that wave right now, people are interested in history too because of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. I think that's something to embrace and study about. As far as challenges, it's always a challenge because you're never going to make a lot of money unless you're a director of a garden. It's almost going to be a low-income kind of wages unless you get higher level positions. I think that's a challenge for a lot of people. I'm lucky because I don't have children or anything, and my house is paid off.

I guess hard work and not being afraid of that, and to try to achieve. I really try not to be afraid to push yourself. I really admire and try to focus on getting the right answers and focus on research. That's a lot of what I do. In my personal life, I'm simple. I don't need a lot to live on or anything like that, just keep working. A lot of people ask me about retirement since I'm 70, but I don't know what else I would do. The main thing is not to be afraid, just keep working.