Bright Leader Dolly Parton
Happy Birthday to a Legend!
Today's Bright Leader, on her birthday 🎂, is Dolly Parton! ☀️ Dolly was born on January 19, 1946, in Locust Ridge, Tennessee. One of 12 children, she grew up poor in rural Appalachia in a one-room cabin. She was first introduced to music by her mother, who sang and played the guitar and performed at church.
By age ten, she was performing professionally, and she made her Grand Ole Opry debut at age 13. Dolly can play over 20 instruments 🪕🎻 🎹 (!!), has written almost 3000 songs, and has won multiple awards, including Grammy, CMA's, and lifetime achievement awards. 🏆🏆🏆
📚 In 1995 she started the Imagination Library, which mails free books to kids in her hometown, but has since expanded nationwide, including multiple countries. Parton wrote in a letter on the Imagination Library website,
"I created the Imagination Library as a tribute to my Daddy. He was the smartest man I have ever known but I know in my heart his inability to read probably kept him from fulfilling all of his dreams."
According to Imagination Library, in 2022, over 2 million books were mailed each month globally!! 📬📖🌏
Here are some fun questions for you and your Bright Little, let's have a conversation...
- What counties participate in the Imagination Library?
- What does it mean to be illiterate?
- Why is it important to ensure everyone has equal access to books and school?
- Why should we not ban books?
- How can you help others have the gift of reading? Hint hint: donate books :)
👏 Great job, Bright Littles!