Dolly Parton Named One Of 2021’s ‘People Of The Year’

Country music icon Dolly Parton is among four winners of this year’s “People of the Year: award.

Actress Sandra Oh, U.S. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and the teachers of America are the other winners of the award, which People magazine presents to celebrities and educators honoring their transformative work every year.

Parton has always done her part to help others through efforts like her Imagination Library, which has given more than 160 million books to chidden in need.

Early in the coronavirus pandemic, she also donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to support COVID-19 research, which resulted in the Moderna vaccine.

Parton’s Dollywood Foundation also raised $700,000 this year to aid those impacted by flooding in Middle Tennessee.

“It makes my heart feel good to know that I can do something for somebody else,” Parton told People in response to the honor.

This week’s People issue is a special edition featuring 2021’s “People of the Year.”