Dolly Parton’s Legacy: Celebrating a Life of Influence

Dolly Parton, known for transcending boundaries of time, race, social class, and gender, left an indelible mark on the world. Her music continues to influence people globally, with hits like “Coat of Many Colors,” “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You,” and “Here You Come Again.” As someone who has admired Parton for over 30 years, I view education as a key area where she stands out among her peers.

In 1995, Parton launched the Imagination Library in tribute to her father, who could not read or write. This early childhood literacy program has distributed over 300 million books to children worldwide. By age five, participants receive a total of 60 books. Countries participating include the U.S., Ireland, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

Childhood literacy plays a crucial role in school dropout and incarceration rates and affects adult quality of life. Findings from the World Literacy Foundation highlight the link between school dropout and incarceration, with over 70% of imprisoned adults struggling to read beyond a fourth-grade level. A child unable to read proficiently by third grade is four times more likely to leave high school prematurely. Moreover, more than 85% of juveniles in the legal system are functionally low-literate.

The consistent decline in students’ reading performance troubles policymakers, educators, and other stakeholders. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) tests students biannually in grades four, eight, and twelve, showing a decline in reading scores since 2015. For instance, fourth and eighth-grade reading scores declined by two points between 2022 and 2024. Twelfth graders saw a drop from 285 in 2019 to 283 in 2024. Recent data show improvement among 9-year-olds, indicating a four-point rise in their average reading score by 2025 compared to 2022, particularly among lower-performing students. However, younger students’ scores can fluctuate significantly year to year.

The realities of reading data underscore the significance of Parton’s Imagination Library. She recognized reading’s impact on children’s development and lifelong outcomes. Proficiency in reading fosters critical thinking, comprehension of diverse viewpoints, and peaceful, articulate expression of disagreements. It enriches lives through exposure to varied experiences.

Dolly Parton reads her book “Coat of Many Colors” at the Library of Congress in Washington on February 27, 2018. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

Schools aim to enhance students’ lives. Improving youth reading scores and enriching their lives remain pressing challenges. Experts identify the issues—ranging from pandemic disruptions and technology distractions to ongoing absenteeism and decreased recreational reading. The Imagination Library sidesteps debates, directly placing books in children’s hands and shaping their future.

Dolly Parton’s legacy continues in all of us. By supporting and promoting the Imagination Library, we can honor her contributions within every community. Shakespeare once wrote, “Be not afraid of greatness: Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” Parton’s life truly embodied these aspects of greatness.

Jerald McNair serves as a school administrator in South Holland School District 151. He possesses a doctorate in education and a graduate degree in public policy.