The country music legend has had a fruitful year, from financing a coronavirus vaccine to starring in not one but two Christmas specials.

<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/music/dolly-parton-songs-book-late-show">Dolly Parton</a>, America&rsquo;s sweetheart, did in fact <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/18/entertainment/dolly-parton-moderna-covid-vaccine-reaction-trnd/index.html">help fund Moderna&rsquo;s COVID-19 vaccine </a>research. Countless news outlets have covered the singer&rsquo;s contribution, bringing some cheer to an unprecedented <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/classic-holiday-christmas-movies">holiday</a> season. However, Parton&rsquo;s contribution is not her first meaningful philanthropic endeavor. Throughout her career, the Grammy-winning artist&nbsp;has been involved in many game-changing projects. Here, L&rsquo;OFFICIEL revists some of Parton&#39;s&nbsp;most exciting entrepreneurial, sartorial, and philanthropic moments.

Unseating Mariah Carey as The Queen of Christmas

Parton&rsquo;s newest album may just be 2020&rsquo;s saving grace. On October 2 the prolific singer-songwriter released <a href="https://shop.dollyparton.com/products/dolly-parton-a-holly-dolly-christmas-cd">A Holly Dolly Christmas</a>, a holiday album complete with features from Michael Bubl&eacute;, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/miley-cyrus-style-evolution-plastic-hearts">Miley</a> and Billy Ray Cyrus, Willie Nelson, and Jimmy Fallon. Parton will also host a <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/mariah-carey-christmas-special-2020-ariana-grande">Christmas special</a> by the same name on CBS, airing on December 6, which promises intimate performances by the artist. And even beyond that, the singer also stars in Netflix&rsquo;s new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.netflix.com/title/81128934">Christmas on the Square</a>&nbsp;flick, which follows a Christmas Carol-like plot and features 14 original songs by Parton.

Helping&nbsp;Millions of Children to Love Reading

In 1995, Parton launched <a href="https://imaginationlibrary.com/about-us/">the Imagination Library</a>, a book gifting program that mails free books to children who have yet to begin school. The program has sent over 100 million books to children in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Ireland. Parton started the program in her own hometown of Sevier County, Tennessee. By sending monthly age-appropriate, interesting books, the singer hoped to help each child in the county learn to love reading. The program was such a success that it now sends over 1 million books out to children each month across the world.

Writing One of the Most Famous and Meaningful Fashion Songs

Parton&rsquo;s song <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/03DTXxfU0UJ96lt1umUtts?highlight=spotify:track:0vCuS7ckBat4b3jQOGyEOq">&ldquo;Coat of Many Colors&rdquo;</a> details her experiences wearing a jacket her mother crafted from a box of rags. Parton sings of how much she loved the multi-colored, unique coat, even though others may not have realized its beauty. The moving ballad pays homage to the singer&rsquo;s mother and reminds listeners of the beauty one can find in seemingly undesirable objects.

Dolly Parton "Coat of Many Colors"

Rocking The Most Fabulously Extra Gown for &#39;Cher&hellip; Special&#39;

Parton and fellow icon Cher wore incredible coordinated gowns for Cher&rsquo;s 1978 special Cher&hellip; Special. Though every one of Parton&rsquo;s bedazzled outfits are extraordinary, her <a href="https://lofficielbaltics.com/en/fashion/birds-of-a-feather">feathered</a>, black ball gown is the perfect embodiment of the disco era&rsquo;s over-the-top glamor. Not to mention Parton won an Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in a Variety or Musical Special for her appearance.

Founding a Successful Production Company

Parton teamed up with Sandy Gallin, her former manager, in 1986 to establish Sandollar Productions. The production company is responsible for the production of popular TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, for which Parton is an <a href="https://www.dazeddigital.com/film-tv/article/48994/1/dolly-parton-was-an-uncredited-producer-on-buffy-the-vampire-slayer">uncredited producer</a>, and the recent Netflix anthology Heartstrings, which won a <a href="https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/9427446/2020-glaad-media-awards-best-moments/">GLAAD media award</a> for its episode &ldquo;Two Doors Down.&rdquo;

Making an Amusement Park About Herself

In 1986, Dollywood, a Dolly Parton-themed amusement park, opened its doors to the public. It is now <a href="https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/tennessee/articles/20-must-visit-attractions-in-tennessee/">one of the biggest tourist attractions</a> in Tennessee, drawing millions of visitors each year. The park not only has traditional rides and games, but it also exposes visitors to music native to Parton&#39;s home in the Smoky Mountains. Parton herself often makes visits to the park to greet visitors.

Any Time She Wears a Cowgirl Hat

Parton&rsquo;s elaborate outfits often include <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/travel-living/grand-canyon-glamping-western-united-states-vacation">Western</a>-influenced accents. Cowgirl hats often top off the performer&rsquo;s elaborate looks. Every year the singer and her wardrobe designer Steve Summer work together to create almost 300 distinct eye catching ensembles, which often feature a plethora of sequins.

When Her Face Graced A Gucci Jacket

For <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/gucci-spring-2019">Spring/Summer 2019</a>, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/alessandro-michele-gucci-creative-director-harry-styles-jared-leto">Alessandro Michelle</a> paid homage to Parton in denim, sending a sleeveless oversize jacket with her likeness on it down the Gucci runway.

While Parton dismisses being a <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/politics-culture/famous-feminists-that-changed-womens-rights">feminist</a> herself, her actions&ndash;and music&ndash;say otherwise. In the 2019 podcast&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/dolly-partons-america">Dolly Parton&#39;s America</a>,&nbsp;host&nbsp;Jad Abumrad speaks with Parton about her lyrics that often tell the stories of women opressed by their partners or other societal factors. They also speak about Parton&#39;s appearance, which has been objectified by notable TV hosts and the public throughout her careers. Parton takes agency of her physical appearance, saying that she&#39;ll display it as she pleases. Beyond this, Parton is a trailblazer for women not only in country music, but music at large, and has been <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/10/19/the-united-states-of-dolly-parton">cited</a> by figures from Bj&ouml;rn to Nicki Minaj.

When She Inadvertently Made A New TikTok Trend

Though Parton herself may not yet be on <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop%20culture/tiktok-accounts-follow-guide-2020">TikTok</a>, her hit &ldquo;Jolene&rdquo; remains an anthem for redheads everywhere as many folks are post videos of themselves to Parton&rsquo;s song, where she sings of a beautiful woman with &ldquo;flaming locks of auburn hair.&rdquo;&nbsp;Currently, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/jolene">#jolene</a> has over 80 million views on the app.

10 Reasons to Love Dolly Parton

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