Dolly Partonseems like she ’d stipulate for the Presidential Medal of Freedom found on her cultural contributions alone , from songs like “ Jolene ” and “ I Will Always Love You ” to hit moving picture likeSteel Magnolias(1989 ) and 1980’s9 to 5(not to note her Tennessee stem car park , Dollywood ) .
But as all Dolly lover recognise , her initiatives get through far beyond the amusement Earth . She promotes child literacy through her Imagination Library — which has donated more than 100 million book to tyke since its groundwork in 1995 — and she also help fund the development of Moderna’sCOVID-19 vaccinum .
In short , you ’d be well within grounds to ask why Parton has n’t been put up the laurel wreath yet . But as she shared during a virtual appearance on NBC’sTODAYearlier this yr , she actually has been declare oneself it — double , both during Donald Trump ’s incumbency . The first metre she wrench it down because her married man was ominous . The second offer came during the midst of thepandemic , and she decided to decline the award rather than have to travel to accept it .
As for whether Parton would take a third offer , she ’s not sure . “ Now I feel like if I take it , I ’ll be doing politics , ” she explained . In other words , she seems to be wary that the move would be read as an indorsement of one administration over another , and Parton isfamously mumwhen it comes to political sympathies .
In any case , receiving the medallion does n’t appear to be much of a focus for her . “ I do n’t work for those honor , ” she order . “ It ’d be skillful , but I ’m not trusted that I even deserve it . But that ’s a nice compliment for masses to think that I might deserve it . ”
It ’s not the first sentence Parton has shown such admirable humbleness . This past February , when Tennessee ’s state political science was working on getting the Oklahoma to install aDolly Parton statueon Capitol Hill , she take them to stamp out the bill . “ Given all that is going on in the macrocosm , I do n’t opine putting me on a pedestal is appropriate at this time , ” she said in astatement(though she did allow for that she ’d be open to the possibility in some years ’ time ) .
[ h / tTODAY ]
