By Greg Nosan
George Voinovich (1936–2016) was arguably the most significant political figure in Ohio history. A native Clevelander, he was proud of his Slovenian and Serbian roots, which shaped his outlook on the world. For Voinovich, leadership was personal—an expression of his deep Catholic faith; a means of serving others; and a way of empowering people to embrace their potential, connect with their shared humanity, and join forces to change things for the better. It’s no surprise that his favorite motto was “Together, We Can Do It!”
As Cleveland’s mayor and Ohio’s governor, Voinovich is most famous as a turnaround expert who remedied financial disasters and spurred economic growth. But he also—especially as a US senator—aimed to strengthen the global community. Voinovich’s success stemmed largely from the gifts he brought to the table: compassion, humility, rigor, and an ability to work with anyone to bridge differences and solve problems. These qualities, which were remarkable in his own political moment, offer a powerful example in ours.
On February 12 a crowd of more than 150 people gathered in the main hall of the Slovenian National Home for a panel discussion and reception celebrating the opening of the exhibition Together We Can Do It! George Voinovich and the Work of Politics. The evening, part of Cleveland Kurentovanje’s weeklong celebration of Slovenian heritage and culture, drew individuals from across the city’s ethnic and political communities, including a dozen members of the Voinovich family. This was due not only to widespread affection for Senator Voinovich, but also because to the extraordinary group of panelists, which included moderator Joe Cimperman of Global Cleveland, Rev. Dr. E. Theophilus Caviness of Greater Abyssinia Baptist Church, former friend and colleague Tim Cosgrove, granddaughter and venture capitalist Faith Voinovich, Councilman Mike Polensek, and Elizabeth Sullivan of the Plain Dealer. In a conversation that was by turns serious and full of fun, these individuals shared their personal perspectives on Senator Voinovich as a man and a leader, thinking together about what we can learn from his life and legacy.
Photo by Raye White.
Photo by Raye White.
The exhibition itself was curated by the Slovenian Museum & Archives in collaboration with a team of three students from Ohio University’s Honors Tutorial College. For a semester, these young women worked to explore the rich trove of papers and objects that are part of the George V. Voinovich Collection, which the senator entrusted to the Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections at his alma mater, Ohio University. In the end, we combined these materials with the SMA’s own holdings of images, documents, and diplomatic honors—many of them donated by Senator Voinovich—to create an engaging, immersive installation that tells its story by showcasing items given to and used by Voinovich himself: clothing, cartoons, snapshots, and handmade objects from grateful constituents, to mention just a few. The project as a whole was made possible thanks to the generosity of Global Cleveland and the sponsorship of the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service at Ohio University and Nickie J. Antonio.
Together We Can Do It! George Voinovich and the Work of Politics is on view at the Slovenian Museum & Archives through May 24, 2026. If you’d like to visit, email us at slovenianmuseum@gmail.com to schedule a private tour, or visit us at 6407 St. Clair Avenue during our new Wednesday open hours, which begin on March 11 and run from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
