Dolly Parton’s  Legacy Prevails in the Capital Region

The passing of Dolly Parton has seen a national outpouring of sorrow and gratitude. This was evident in that the New York State Department of Transportation displayed lyrics from her 1973 single, Jolene, on Interstate 87. 

President Trump even ordered all flags on government buildings to be flown at half-staff in honor of Dolly Parton, an honor rarely given to private citizens.

Parton epitomized the rags to riches American dream.

She was born in a one-room cabin in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, the fourth of twelve children born to Robert and Avie Partons. Dolly’s parents filled their home with traditional mountain-folk music which formed the foundation for Dolly’s eventual stardom. 

Parton was said to have written her first song at six years of age and performed on local television by age 10. She released her first album, “Hello, I’m Dolly” at 21. 

The country star performed at Saratoga Performing Arts Center in 1979 and 1983. 

But possibly her most lasting legacy will be founding the Imagination Library, a children’s literacy program.

As of 2023, the Imagination Library mails books to one in seven children under the age of five years old in the United States monthly. 

“Before he passed away, my Daddy told me the Imagination Library was probably the most important thing I had ever done. I can’t tell you how much that meant to me because I created the Imagination Library as a tribute to my Daddy,” Parton wrote on the Imagination Library website. “He was the smartest man I have ever known but I know in my heart his inability to read probably kept him from fulfilling all of his dreams.” 

In 2024, United Way of the Greater Capital Region partnered with the Imagination Library and has distributed over 275,000 books to over 15,000 children in the Capital Region.

“Dolly was a larger-than-life American icon whose impact will live on in every book placed in the hands of a child through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. We are incredibly honored to partner with her organization. We will always admire Dolly for her passion and dedication to making this world a better place. May her family be comforted with the knowledge of the number of lives she has improved,” said CEO of United Way of the Greater Capital Region, Peter Gannon.

Any child under the age of five years old can enroll to be sent a book every month at no cost to families. To enroll in the program, visit: https://imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/.