Here’s to Dolly: Union Member, Vaccine Hero, Literacy Giant, Staunch Gay Ally
Last night, I watched Straight Talk, the 1992 Dolly vehicle in which the singer plays, yes, a straight-talker from Arkansas who, through a series of highly predictable accidents, becomes Chicago’s biggest radio talk-show host, dishing out salty Dollyisms to the city’s brokenhearted. Giddy with her sudden fame and riches, her character wants to buy champagne […]
Dolly Parton, the country superstar who passed away at 80, was known for her generosity and support of the underdog. One example of her philanthropy was giving $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville to help develop their cutting-edge Covid vaccine. In a tweet, she jokingly referred to herself as a "vaccine hero."
Parton had a long-standing membership in the Nashville Association of Musicians (AFM Local 257) for 58 years, a commitment that was noted by the union for her dedication to working musicians. She also launched the Imagination Library in 1995, a literacy program that has sent hundreds of millions of free books to children every month.
The program has a strong focus on Indigenous authors and illustrators, with 50,000 children and their families currently enrolled in Australia. Parton also championed LGBTQ rights, stating that she believed in accepting and loving everyone.
Written by urgent.news from Mother Jones's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
