Denton County Living Well Magazine September/October 2022 | Page 11

THE GRAND DAME OF COUNTRY MUSIC CONTINUES TO SHINE .
BY SHAY MOSER

Who is Dolly Parton ? You could answer this question in many ways . A philanthropist may be top of your mind considering she was honored this month among this year ’ s Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy recipients for the $ 1 million donation she made in 2020 to help fund Moderna ’ s coronavirus vaccine research .

She ’ ll receive her medal in a private New York ceremony on Oct . 13 , along with four other honorees .
Parton said she was honored to receive the award in a statement : “ I ’ ve always believed that if you can help , you should help , and I truly hope that I can be an inspiration for others to lift those around them . Whether through my Imagination Library or giving to COVID-19 research , I try to support things that have a special meaning for me . I hope everyone can find something they ’ re passionate about supporting and do what they can to help make this world better .”
Parton ’ s passion is supporting numerous non-profit organizations that aim to improve the quality of life of children and others in need . When she founded the Dollywood Foundation in 1988 , it offered scholarships to high school students in Sevier County , Tennessee , where she grew up . In 1995 , the Dollywood Foundation grew into Imagination Library , distributing free books monthly to children up to age 5 . Over the years , the Dollywood Foundation has supported charities , causes , and more . In 2016 , the Dollywood Foundation grew again into the My People Fund , which provided $ 10,000 to more than 900 families affected by the Great Smoky Mountains wildfires . Today , the foundation continues to grant scholarships and awards and support numerous non-profit organizations that bring education and poverty relief . LGBTQ + rights , marriage equality , and Black Lives Matter are causes Parton has spoken out about on multiple occasions .
While her philanthropic activity has been in the news lately , you may know Parton most as a musician . She began performing as a child , singing on local radio and television programs in the East Tennessee area . Her early success came as a songwriter , penning several charting singles , including two Top 10 hits . Then in 1965 , at age 19 , she signed with a record label that helped her release a series of pop singles that didn ’ t make the music chart . However , her first two country singles she recorded reached No . 24 and 17 on the country chart . Then she found success with country star Porter Wagoner before starting her solo career . Parton ’ s solo success came in the early 1970s when she had three singles reach No . 1 on the country chart , including “ Jolene ,” “ I Will Always Love You ,” and “ Love Is Like a Butterfly .”
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