Dolly Parton Statue Proposed At Tennessee State Capitol
Democratic Rep. John Mark Windle of Tennessee recently introduced a bill that aims to honor Dolly Parton “for all that she has contributed to this state,” in the form of a statue to be added to the Capitol grounds in Nashville, Tennessee.
Dolly is a lifelong philanthropist. She founded the Imagination Library, which mails books to children under the age of 5 across the world to improve child literacy, and her million-dollar donation to Vanderbilt University helped develop the highly effective Moderna coronavirus vaccine and her advocacy for racial justice was recently celebrated in a mural in Nashville.
Windle said, “At this point in history, is there a better example, not just in America but in the world, of a leader that is (a) kind, decent, passionate human being?” (She’s) a passionate person who loves everyone, and everyone loves her.”
Windle said the state capitol commission would solicit input to develop a plan for the statue, including its design, and he said it should face toward the Ryman Auditorium, where she sometimes performs.
No taxpayer dollars would be spent according to the bill, which would create a fund for private gifts, grants and donations to pay for the statue.
Dolly Parton Is Always Smiling
