How Dolly Parton helped the world - from children's books to supporting Covid vaccine - BBC
Dolly Parton is recognized for her extensive philanthropic efforts, including the Imagination Library, which provides free books to children. Her charitable work also spans medical research funding and disaster relief.
Why it matters
Parton's influence demonstrates the impact of celebrity-led philanthropy on literacy and public health initiatives.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Tiffany Wertheimer Getty Images The Imagination Library opened in the UK in 2007 Dolly Parton will not only be remembered for her iconic songs and Southern charm, but also for her philanthropic work.
Throughout her life, she supported communities in need, especially in her home state of Tennessee. She funded medical research that led to one of the first Covid-19 vaccines, donated to wildfire victims and even helped the once-endangered bald eagle, America's national bird.
But it is her Imagination Library - the mainstay of her charity work - that has helped millions of children learn to read by sending out free books.
The programme was inspired by her father who couldn't read or write.
"I think deep down inside, my daddy was prouder of [the library] than he even was of my career," she wrote.
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