'I Fight Illiteracy For My Father': Dolly Parton Reveals Why She Started Her Literacy Program

Dolly Parton is not only an award-winning singer but also a philanthropist and advocate of literacy. Back in 1995, she started a program, the Imagination Library, to donate millions of books to children in different countries. And on February 27, she marked a milestone by giving her 100 millionth book to the Library of Congress.

Great to have @DollyParton here today to celebrate 100 million free books from @DollysLibrary to children across the country! https://t.co/7WUVsyhY6K pic.twitter.com/kf4iE2zf21

— Library of Congress (@librarycongress) February 27, 2018

Local children had an opportunity to attend the event and listen to Dolly reading the book "Coat of Many Colors." As the singer says, this book reminds her of her mom and daddy. In fact, her family is the reason Parton even started her book-giving literacy program.

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Talking about her dad

It turns out that the Imagination Library is a tribute to the star’s father. He was a smart and hardworking man, but he never had a chance to learn how to write or read. When she started the program, her dad got involved in it, helping his daughter to distribute books in their country.

My daddy couldn't read and write and that always troubled him and bothered him so I wanted to do something special for him.

“I started this for my daddy. I wanted him to feel like he was a part of something special.” The incomparable @DollyParton at the @librarycongress talking about her Imagination Library. Dream come true. pic.twitter.com/bYGBNv6JxZ

— Lauren Ober™️ (@OberandOut) February 27, 2018

Now, Imagination Library operates not only in the United States but also in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. To date, there is almost a million of kids registered under it, regardless of their financial background. Dolly is happy that her dad lived long enough to see the success of the program.

A post shared by Dolly Parton (@dollyparton) on Jun 19, 2016 at 11:42am PDT

Sadly, Robert Lee Parton died in 2003 at 79, but his talented daughter definitely made him proud.

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