economy
Dolly Parton loved her Tennessee county so much that her foundation cut its dropout rate to 6%
Dolly Parton didn’t just sing lovingly about her Tennessee mountain home. She spent her life elevating an often-overlooked region to showcase what long inspired her music and sparked a tourism boom that forever changed those living against the backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains.
TL;DR
- Dolly Parton's connection to her Tennessee mountain home inspired music and sparked a tourism boom, changing the region.
- Dollywood, opened by Parton, is Tennessee's most visited tourist attraction, generating $1.8 billion annually and serving as the county's largest employer.
- The Dollywood Foundation's Buddy Program helped reduce Sevier County's high school dropout rate from 30% to 6%.
- Parton's Imagination Library has distributed over 330 million books internationally.
- She provided significant aid and scholarships to families affected by the 2016 wildfire.
- Parton helped break down negative stereotypes associated with Appalachian communities through her influence and outreach.