Country music legend and LGBTQ community ally Dolly Parton recently received the Bezos Award for Courage & Civility. The grandiose $100 million award, gifted by former Amazon exec Jeff Bezos and his partner Lauren Sanchez, is now in its second year following two same-value honors bestowed to activist Van Jones and chef and humanitarian Jose Andres in 2021.
“The award recognizes leaders who aim high, find solutions, and always do it with civility,” says Sanchez during the presentation to Parton. “Each awardee receives 100 million dollars to direct to the charities that they see fit.”
Parton, a longtime philanthropist and champion of humanitarian causes, established the Dollywood Foundation in 1988 to support educational advancement of children in Sevier County, Tennessee. In the decades since, her work has expanded beyond county borders through the founding of the Imagination Library, which expands childhood literacy internationally; the Eagle Mountain Sanctuary, a safe-haven for American Bald Eagles; providing aid for those affected by wildfires; and supporting COVID-19 vaccine research.
Contrasting less-than-LGBTQ-friendly stereotypes often observed within her musical genre, Parton has also been a longtime advocate of the queer community. Her track record includes queer-friendly lyrics in her music dating back to the early 90s, welcoming people of all types to Dollywood, supporting the 2005 film TransAmerica with her Academy Award nominated track “Travelin’ Thru,” and taking pro-marriage equality stances numerous times.
“She gives with her heart,” Bezos remarks during the award presentation. “What she’s done for kids, literacy, and so many other things is just incredible.”
Accepting the award, Parton enthusiastically states, “Wow! Did you say 100 million dollars? When people are in a position to help, you should help, and I know I’ve always said I try to put my money where my heart is. I will do my best to do good things with this money.”
Plans are still being made for her donation recipients, but we can be sure that vital causes will continue to be made better from this incredible icon’s generosity.
Photo courtesy of social media
