Ark magazine

Dolly Parton refused to be put in a box. A country music legend, icon, philanthropist, and a force of greatness, she spent her life spreading love.
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Beyond her musical legacy, she championed literacy. She fought for children’s welfare, founding the Imagination Library, a nonprofit that has gifted hundreds of millions of books to children worldwide. The Imagination Library mails one new book each month to every enrolled child until their fifth birthday.

Her generosity extended beyond books. At Dollywood, employees have been eligible for full tuition coverage, including textbooks and fees, with the motto: “Your future grows with love, not loans.” Employees are also entitled to partial funding for other educational programs, health benefits, and childcare coverage.

Dolly Parton had a magnetic light. In interviews, whether she was being asked about her physical appearance, her wigs, or her famously “cheap” style, she had a way of turning every question into an opportunity to share kindness, humor, optimism, and encouragement.