Today is September 24 — 9/25 (sounds like “Nine to Five” – get it?) Today is also one month since Dolly Parton passed away. Therefore, today has been designated Dolly Parton Appreciation Day. It’s been recommended that the best way to celebrate this day is by reading, singing, and giving to charity.
Dolly Parton was a songwriter, a singer, an actress, a businesswoman, and a philanthropist. She came to international fame as an entertainer, but her proudest success was as a champion of literacy.
She was respected worldwide, not only as a singer and actress, nut for her Imagination Library.
Imagination Library
“Over the past three decades, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has given away over 300,000 books in five countries. It started for poor children in Tennessee, nut spread across the country and across the world. Her dedication to literacy was in honor of her father, an illiterate farmer who was one of the cleverest men she knew. She tried to give children the chance he never had.
Dolly Parton helped reduce the rate of high school dropouts in Sevier County, Tennessee through the Buddy Program she instituted in 1991.
In 1991, Dolly Parton called all seventh and eighth grade students to a special assembly at Dollywood’s Celebrity Theatre. Each student was asked to choose a “Buddy” with whom they would pledge to support one another in staying in school. If either student didn’t have a buddy, Dolly promised to provide one. The condition was simple: both buddies had to graduate from high school. Those who did so received $500 each from Dolly Parton personally.
Like Levar Burton, Dolly Parton did her best to introduce children to the joy of reading .For that, as wall as her music, we remember her and love her.
Dolly the Beloved Entertainer
She starred in 9 to 5 (1980) as a harassed secretary and in The Best Little Whorehouse in Teaxas (1982) as a madame. In Christmas on the Square (2020) she played an angel. On thr TV show Orville, she portrayed a hologram of herself, and became an inspiration to the downtrodden females of the planet Moclus. She appeared on the Porter Waggoner Show for seven years.
After We Lost Her
After we lost Dolly Parton, a month ago, millions of people who had never met her wept. President Donald Trump ordered flags lowered to half-staff as a sign of mourning.. Those fortunate enough to have known her were unanimous in praising her humanity, kindness, and sincerity.
Donald J. Trump posted on Truth Social, “This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will. Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you.”
If you have CDs or tapes of her music, this is a good day to listen to them.
Dolly Parton firmly believed that charity began at home. Her own charitable donations went first to the poverty-stricken section of Tennessee where she grew up—so if you want to donate to charity in her memory, look first to see what’s needed close to home. Good second choices would be cancer research and care of cancer patients. Dolly Parton died of cancer. The best way to honor her would be to donate to literacy and education.
If September 25 remains a day to honor Dolly Parton in years to come, we might see new traditions: southern cuisine for dinner, family sing-alongs, reading together as a family. Only time will tell, but her influence will last.
“You’re never too old,, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to child.”
— Dr. Seuss.
Susan Macdonald is the author of the children's book "R is for Renaissance Faire", as well as 26 short stories, mostly fantasy in "Alternative Truths", "Swords and Sorceress #30", Swords &Sorceries Vols. 1, 2, & 5, "Cat Tails" "Under Western Stars", and "Knee-High Drummond and the Durango Kid". Her articles have appeared on SCIFI.radio's web site, in The Inquisitr, and in The Millington Star. She enjoys Renaissance Faires (see book above), science fiction conventions, Highland Games, and Native American pow-wows. Her nonfiction book THEY ENDURED will be published by B Cubed Press in 2025 or 2026.
