After beloved Tennessee icon Dolly Parton passed away last month, people around the world came together to remember her life and legacy. She is a larger-than-life figure in her home state, but her appeal has known no boundaries. Few public figures are as widely loved, including by people who knew little of her music beyond the biggest hits. She connected with people across generations and backgrounds, cutting through many of the divisions that have overtaken our culture.
As a Tennessean who grew up in Music City, Dolly’s presence was part of my childhood and remained so well into adulthood. Yet, as I reflect on her influence on me as a Nashville native, it was not her personality, hit songs, rhinestones or the many other elements of her public
persona that made her such a captivating figure.
For me, the legacy she left behind was her lifetime of giving.
Perhaps the best-known example, especially among Tennesseans, is Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the book-gifting program she founded in 1995.
Inspired by her father, who could not read or write, Dolly created the program to provide free books each month to children from birth to age 5, regardless of their families’ income or access to resources. I was fortunate to be one of those children. Over the past 31 years, the program has expanded to five countries and now sends millions of books to children each month.
But her generosity extended far beyond childhood literacy. As a native of the Volunteer State, Dolly’s life was a true testament to the spirit of volunteerism.
Her philanthropy supported medical research and children’s health. When wildfires swept through East Tennessee in 2016, she established the My People Fund to provide direct financial assistance to families who had lost their homes. More recently, she contributed to relief efforts for communities affected by Hurricane Helene.
Dolly used her success, fame and influence to create meaningful change, not only in her home state but around the world. Her life offers a lesson in the value of giving, whether through financial contributions or our time, talents and service to others.
That spirit is also found throughout the Realtor community. Realtors do more than help people buy and sell property. They invest in the communities they serve by volunteering, raising money and putting their businesses behind causes close to home.
Just last week, the Realtors Relief Foundation observed its 25th anniversary. Established following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the foundation provides housing-related assistance to communities affected by disasters. Through the generosity of Realtors, it has helped families across the country cover housing expenses and begin rebuilding their lives.
As we reflect on Dolly’s life and legacy, the lesson is simple: Live with purpose and look for ways to serve those around you. An act of generosity may begin within our own community, but its impact can extend far beyond it and continue for generations.
Dolly showed us that a meaningful legacy is built not simply by what we achieve, but by what we give to others along the way.
Jack Gaughan is president of Greater Nashville Realtors. A Realtor is a member of the National Association of Realtors who subscribes to its strict code of ethics. You can reach Jack at 615-478-0970 or jack.gaughan@gmailcom.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Dolly Parton’s legacy shows why giving back matters | Opinion
