Tribute From A Boomer Who is One of the Dollies and One of the Swifties
The death of Dolly Parton hit me hard, harder than I expected. I know I am not alone. She created a persona that was bigger than life, but she was all about a life well lived. A recent Poll I read said Dolly Parton was the most beloved and unifying public figure in America. Her mentee, Taylor Swift, holds the title for being the most visible and culturally dominant force in our country.
One might wonder how someone who is a Boomer could be one of the Dollies and one of the Swifties at the same time, while being just of Dolly Parton’s generation. It is easy for me!
Both are positive role models in our current society for striving for excellence, authenticity, honesty, gratefulness, generosity of spirit, and just plain generosity and philanthropy.
Sometimes, in our modern world, these traits are not given the merit they deserve.
Dolly Parton is of my generation, and also a role model of mentoring and sponsoring Taylor Swift. Taylor frequently noted gratitude for Dolly being her role model. Both are outstanding songwriters, singers, and performers of our age. Dolly, a pioneer for women in music, championed Taylor, especially when Taylor followed Dolly to expanding to different genres.
Both champion growth, experimentation, and continuing development as one grows and matures. In these ways, also, they are role models to us all at any age. Yes, I always admired how Dolly knew how to never seem to age!
Both used the fruits of their success to help others throughout their careers. By this time, after all the memorials and testimonials, we know of Dolly Parton’s generosity to her home community, the Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library where she has sent hundreds of thousands of books to children around the world, and so much more. In every single city she visited on her Eras Tour, Taylor Swift quietly sent huge, unannounced and unexpected financial gifts to local food banks. Her generosity to those who work for her, down to the truck drivers, has changed their lives. Her philanthropy is seemingly always quiet, but significant. Impressive generosity and philanthropy from both Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift.
Then, there was the $2 million gift that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce made to Dolly’s Imagination Library, which came just before Dolly Parton’s death.
When the gift was announced, Dolly did what Dolly does best. On Instagram, Dolly Parton sang "I will always love you" to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. She then, in her Dolly way, asked for their firstborn: “Hey, when you have your firstborn, can I have it? Because that is going to be one special baby!"
This is one of the last videos before Dolly Parton’s death. It is about joy and gratitude. Dolly said it was evident that Taylor and Travis have made giving back a key part of their lives. . . just as she has.
Dolly Parton said the mission of her Dollywood Foundation is
To Dream More
To Care More
To Learn More
And
To Be More
How Wonderful! Dolly Parton made that happen for herself and worked to make it happen for millions of others. She has made everyone feel that they can do it too.
In my faith, we make a donation to a charity in the memory of one who has passed who is meaningful in our lives. In the Memory of Dolly Parton, I made a donation to Imagination Library.
Here, from ChatGPT, is how you too can make a donation to the Imagination Library and Dollywood Foundation in memory of Dolly Parton, to keep the work she has created ongoing and alive, after her death.
Online Dedication
The fastest way to donate is online through the official Imagination Library Donation Page.
• On the donation form, check the option for a Donation Dedication/Tribute.
• Select "In memory of" as the dedication type.
• Type Dolly Parton in the dedication name field.
2. Mail a Check
If you prefer to mail a physical check, you can send it directly to their finance office:
The Dollywood Foundation
C/O Finance Department
111 E. Main Street, 2nd Floor
Sevierville, TN 37862 [1]
Note: Be sure to write "In Memory of Dolly Parton" on the memo line of your check.
May Dolly Parton rest in peace, and may I live many more years to see and hear the wonderful future music, accomplishments, and generosity of Taylor Swift. May I be able to secure tickets to her next tour, when her last was completely sold out worldwide—and I was willing to make a journey!
Taylor Swift is clearly following in the footsteps of the philanthropy of her mentor, Dolly Parton.
With great admiration for two great artists and two great human beings that I hope my children and grandchildren emulate, including generosity to others,
Forever, one of the Dollies and one of the Swifties with
Joy,
Mema
