Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Dolly Parton Leaves Legacy of Literacy, Advocacy and Giving
Dolly Parton was a famous singer, actress and songwriter who also helped many people.
She grew up very poor in rural Tennessee.
That experience inspired her to give children opportunities and support communities in need.
Her Imagination Library sends free books to young children in several countries.
The program has given away more than 304 million books.
Parton also donated to medical research, disaster relief, hospitals and animal welfare.
She supported LGBTQ+ people and spoke in favor of Black lives mattering.
She changed the name of one attraction after people criticized its connection to the Confederacy.
Parton also worked with Beyoncé and remained known for kindness and generosity.
Dolly Parton died Tuesday at age 80 after a career as a country music icon, songwriter and actress.
Her Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library supported scholarships and provided more than 304 million free books to children.
Her charitable giving included COVID-19 research, disaster relief, hospitals, the American Red Cross and animal welfare.
Parton was embraced by LGBTQ+ communities, supported same-sex marriage and criticized restrictions on transgender rights.
She supported Black Lives Matter, renamed her Civil War-themed attraction and collaborated with Beyoncé on Cowboy Carter.
- Who
- Dolly Parton, the country music icon, songwriter and actress, along with organizations and communities supported by her philanthropy.
- What
- Parton’s charitable and advocacy legacy included literacy, scholarships, disaster relief, medical research, LGBTQ+ inclusion and racial justice.
- When
- Her Dollywood Foundation was established in 1988; she launched Imagination Library in 1995; she died Tuesday at age 80.
- Where
- Her work began in or was connected to East Tennessee and expanded to the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia.
- Why
- Her charitable efforts were shaped in part by growing up in profound poverty in rural Tennessee and by her stated belief in helping children realize their dreams.
Supporters of Parton’s Inclusive Legacy
Critics and Traditionalists
Renaming the Civil War-themed attraction
Supporters of Parton’s Inclusive Legacy
Supporters welcomed Parton’s decision to remove “Dixie” from the attraction’s name after criticism of its association with the Confederacy.
Critics and Traditionalists
The article says the name change drew criticism but does not detail the arguments made by people who opposed it.
Beyoncé’s reinterpretation of “Jolene”
Supporters of Parton’s Inclusive Legacy
Parton endorsed Beyoncé’s version, praising its fresh interpretation and collaboration.
Critics and Traditionalists
The reinterpretation received both praise and criticism, though the article does not specify the critics’ reasons.
- Dollywood Foundation
- Established in 1988 to provide scholarships for students in Parton’s hometown of Sevierville, Tennessee.
- Imagination Library
- Launched in 1995 as a literacy program providing free books to children from birth to age 5.
- Books distributed
- More than 304 million books, according to the program’s website.
- Charitable causes
- COVID-19 research, the American Red Cross, wildfire and hurricane relief, hospitals and animal welfare.
- LGBTQ+ advocacy
- Parton supported same-sex marriage and criticized restrictions on transgender rights.
- Racial justice
- She supported the Black Lives Matter movement and renamed the attraction formerly called Dixie Stampede.
- Beyoncé collaboration
- Parton appeared on Beyoncé’s Grammy-winning 2024 album Cowboy Carter.