US Embassy Honours Dolly Parton’s Legacy Of Music And Giving
As the United States continues to mark the 250th anniversary of its independence, the US Embassy in Port of Spain paused for a bittersweet tribute to country music legend Dolly Parton, who passed away on August 25th at the age of 80.
The tribute took place on Sunday at the Toucan Restaurant in Woodbrook, where guests took part in games, a quiz and a costume competition, with Parton’s iconic music providing the soundtrack for the evening as they danced and celebrated the lasting mark she made on the world.
While her musical contributions are widely regarded as legendary, with a career that spanned decades and earned global acclaim, Chargé d’Affaires Philip Kern said it was not only her success in music that stood out.
« It’s what she did with her success. Dolly’s father could not read, nor could he write and she’s spoken about how deeply this affected her. So in 1995 she started the Imagination Library in her home county of Tennessee. And the idea is remarkably simple—put books directly in the hands of young children free of charge so that families can read together at home. »
Mr Kern said what began as a small community effort has grown into an international programme, placing millions of books into the hands of children around the world. He added that stories like these reflect values at the heart of their nation’s beliefs.
« I think there’s something very American about that story too: success is not just about realising your own dream, at its best, it gives you the chance to create opportunities for others to imagine theirs. »
