08/25/2026
What a sad day today.
The world has lost an extraordinary entertainer, philanthropist and genuinely remarkable human being with the passing of Dolly Parton.
Most people will remember Dolly for the music, the rhinestones, the humour and that unmistakable voice. But for millions of children and families around the world, her greatest legacy may well be something much quieter, a book arriving in the mail. šā¤ļø
Dolly founded the Imagination Library in 1995, inspired in part by her father, who never had the opportunity to learn to read and write. The idea was beautifully simple: give children free, age-appropriate books from birth until the age of five and help create a lifelong love of reading.
And that is where Dolly's story became intertwined with Rotary International
Since 2009, Rotary clubs have worked alongside Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to help bring books into the homes and hands of children in communities around the world.
It was a partnership that made perfect sense.
Literacy. Education. Opportunity. Community.
The very things Rotary members have championed for generations.
For me, Dolly's passing also brings back a very special Rotary memory.
I first saw Dolly in person at the Rotary International Convention in MontrƩal, Canada, in 2010.
I remember sitting there thinking just how impressive she was. Yes, she was a superstar, one of the most recognisable entertainers on the planet, but what struck me was the person behind all of that.
She was warm, authentic and incredibly passionate about giving children opportunities through literacy. She was also incredibly funny! I remember when Past RI President John Germ presented her with a Paul Harris Fellow and was awkwardly struggling to decide if he should put the lapel pin on her dress. She said "Oh just pin it on honey, it might be the 1st thing people notice for a change" š¤£
But Dolly understood something that I think sits right at the heart of Rotary:
You can use whatever platform you have to make somebody else's life a little better.
She certainly did that!
Her songs will continue to be played. Her movies will continue to make us smile. Her unmistakable image will remain part of popular culture.
But somewhere, a child will open a book because of an idea Dolly Parton had more than 30 years ago.
And perhaps that child will discover a love of reading, dream a little bigger and see possibilities they hadn't seen before.
Now THAT is a legacy that is working much longer than 9 to 5!
Thank you for the music, the laughter, the books and, most importantly, for showing the world that kindness and generosity never go out of style.
Rest peacefully, Dolly. šøšš¶
We will always love you. ā¤ļø
