Remembering a legend: Dolly Parton

When the name Dolly Parton comes up, almost everyone has a story. Whether they’re a lifelong country music fan, an avid theme park enjoyer, a baker or a reader — Parton has made an impact on some aspect of their lives, whether they know it or not.

On Aug. 25, Parton passed away at 80 from a battle with cancer. Bryan Seaver, her nephew and head of security, announced it in a video on her social media accounts.

Parton was a household name as a country music star. Songs like “Jolene” and “9 to 5” are classics, and “Islands in the Stream” and “I Will Always Love You” have solidified themselves as permanent fixtures of the music scene.

In 2022, Parton was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. While most of her career focused on country music, she was such a music legend that she was inducted anyway. She then released the album “Rockstar,” solidifying her spot as an inductee.

During her career, she has also worked with “The Muppets,” earning herself the title of “honorary Muppet.” Her film resume is also extensive, featuring hits such as “9 to 5” and “Steel Magnolias.” “9 to 5” went on to become a Broadway musical, and a new musical, “Dolly,” is opening on Broadway Jan. 19, 2027 Parton’s 81st birthday.

In addition to her work in music, television and film, Parton opened Dollywood, a theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The park is meant to represent family and fun, and gives a glimpse into the childhood of Parton herself. It also did a lot of good for the local community.

Parton’s face is also plastered all over boxes of different baked goods mixes and frozen desserts at the grocery store. Her Southern upbringing was always important to her, so she wanted to share her family’s recipes with the world.

Literacy was one of the most important things to Parton. She said that her father was smart, but as he never learned how to read and write, his opportunities were limited. Because of this, she founded the Imagination Library, promoting literacy and providing books for children to learn how to read.

Children ages zero through five are eligible for the program, and if enrolled at birth, can receive up to 60 free books from the Imagination Library. The program is entirely free and helps give children the opportunity to learn how to read regardless of financial status. The program will continue, according to The New York Times, and her legacy of promoting literacy will continue to live on, despite some states cutting funding.

According to Billboard, the Imagination Library gifted over 300 million books to children by 2025.

The Imagination Library isn’t the only charitable deed she’s done, though. She donated to support research that helped create the COVID-19 vaccine, helped fund hurricane relief and founded scholarships for Tennessee locals.

Between her music, film, baked goods, theme park, charitable work and more, Parton left behind an incredible legacy. Her work and good deeds will continue to live on long after her passing. People from all over the world have come together to celebrate Parton; she was genuinely loved as a human being.