Dolly Parton Responded to Indiana's Threat To Cut Funding of Her Children's Literacy Program With This Smart Instagram Move
Do you remember the part in Elf where the nun cries, 'But the children love the books!' as Buddy's real-life father, Walter, delivers the ruthless news that the orphanage has missed its rental payments and must now return the children's books? It's so absurdly heartless (seriously, who rents books to kids, knowing most of those pages will be fingerprints and crayon marks by day three?) to really hammer on that Walter is very much on the Naughty List. Now, Indiana might be pulling a surprisingly similar stunt. The state's proposed budget is poised to cut funding for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, a program that mails free books to children.
Since 1995, Dolly's Imagination Library has sent over 200 million books to children. Jointly funded by the state and local organizations, the initiative — one of Parton's many community outreach efforts — has mailed monthly books to more than 15,000 children in Indiana's St. Joseph, Elkhart, LaGrange, and Noble counties. The South Bend Tribune credits the program with catapulting Indiana's national child literacy ranking from 19th to an impressive 6th place. Even former Republican Governor Eric Holcomb praised the program in an outgoing op-ed in Indy Star, writing in January that Indiana's adoption of the program was something to celebrate. Seeing such bipartisan love for education, you might think the program's future is safe. Whelp!!
More from SheKnows
Dolly Parton Just Dropped a New Pancake Mix, But It's the Syrup Bottle You Need to See to Believe
The proposals to cut its funding emerged after Republican Governor Mike Braun took office. For anyone unfamiliar with Braun's greatest hits, here's a taste. He questioned the constitutional right to interracial marriage in 2022, has received a massive amount of money from the NRA, and he was one of 38 Republican senators to vote against the Right to Contraception Act in 2024. During his campaign for governor last fall, his team even went so far as to run attack ads featuring digitally altered photos of his opponent — because what says 'family-first values' like disinformation?
Now Braun, who has yet to offer a solid explanation for attempting to gut such an impactful program, suddenly announced that his wife will work with Parton's team to keep the Imagination Library alive. While the gesture might sound well-meaning, critics are calling it exactly what it looks like — a photo-op dressed up as a solution. After all, the program didn't need saving until Braun's administration pulled the figurative rug out from under it. Democratic State Rep. Maureen Bauer's take on the matter, describing the funding cut as a 'disservice' and vowing that House Democrats would push to reinstate it.
Meanwhile, Parton — God bless her endlessly giving heart — isn't letting the political circus dim her mission. Instead of weighing in on Indiana's internal squabbles at this exact moment, she's doing what she does best. One day after the potential cuts were announced, her team took to Instagram, encouraging parents to sign their kids up for the program.
'Through funding provided by @DollyParton and local community partners… #ImaginationLibrary is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting FREE books to children.' Parents flooded the comment section with emotion. 'Sadly, Indiana Governor Mike Braun has a proposal where this will be cut from state funding. I will be sad if this passes and children lose their books,' said one user. Another shared, 'This is an AMAZING program ❤️ My daughter loved getting a book every month. We loved reading them together and she loves books ❤️ Thank You Imagination Library ❤️'
In a statement shared with Rolling Stone, Jeff Conyers, the Vice Chair and President of the Dollywood Foundation — which oversees the Imagination Library and programs like the Buddy Program, My People Fund, and various scholarship initiatives funded by one of Parton's many programs — said he was 'hopeful that Governor Braun and the Indiana Legislature will continue this vital investment by restoring the state's funding match for local Imagination Library programs. The beauty of the Imagination Library is that it unites us all — regardless of politics — because every child deserves the chance to dream big and succeed.'
And so, here we are, watching a beloved and wildly successful program — one that sends free books to children — become a political pawn. It's not just insulting; it's lazy. What could be simpler than supporting an initiative that's handed parents a lifeline and helped thousands of children discover the magic of words?
Before you go, click to see all the times Dolly Parton's fabulous red carpet and onstage fashion stole the show.
Best of SheKnows
The Best SAG Awards Red Carpet Fashion Moments of All Time
14 Celebrity Families With Reality TV Shows
24 TV Shows About Teen Girls That Defined a Generation
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Lawmakers get theatrical at annual ‘Will on the Hill' show
Several lawmakers took a break from debating legislation on Capitol Hill to instead recite William Shakespeare at Harman Hall on Tuesday evening. The Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) hosted its annual 'Will on the Hill,' welcoming members of Congress, journalists and students to perform popular Shakespeare scenes to fund its youth arts education programs, which reach nearly 20,000 students and teachers across the region. The more than 20-year long tradition also seeks to promote bipartisanship, bringing together lawmakers and political strategists from across the aisle to bolster support for theatre and the arts. Rep. Dina Titus's (D-Nev.) performance of the last scene of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' was the hit of the night. Her interpretation of old-English Shakespeare, which included a Southern accent, made the crowd roar in laughter. Another notable performance was the standoff between the Capulets and Montagues, two enemy families, in the opening scene of 'Romeo and Juliet.' As Atlantic journalist Steve Clemons, Republican political strategist Grover Norquist, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.) and Fox News correspondent Rich Edson bit their thumbs at each other on stage, the producers noted that giving them foam swords was the safest amid a tense political climate. The crowd then commended Sen. Chris Coons's (D-Del.) impersonation of Brutus plotting the assassination of Julius Caesar in the Shakespeare play of the same name. With political tensions rattling the country, seeing lawmakers fumbling over their words and trying to remember their lines proved to be refreshing entertainment. The elected officials were accompanied on stage by Holly Twyford, a pillar of D.C. theatre, and Renea Brown, an award winning actor. The show also included a stage combat demonstration by STC students. An elementary school student brilliantly played King Oberon in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' and two high school students performed 'All's Well That Ends Well.' STC Executive Director Angela Lee Gieras praised the event as an opportunity for children to express themselves, highlighting the courage it takes to perform in front of an audience. This year's performance was presented by Michael Evans, former Democratic chief counsel and deputy staff director for the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, who is an avid Shakespeare enthusiast. Samantha Wyer Bello, STC's senior director of learning, returned to direct her sixth production of 'Will on the Hill.' The STC also honored the memory of the late Democratic Reps. Gerry Connolly (Va.) and Charles Rangel (N.Y.) for their dedication to public service and their year-after-year support of 'Will on the Hill.' Other notable cast members included Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI), D.C. Council chairman Phil Mendelson, DC councilmember Brooke Pinto, D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities executive director Aaron Myers, Washington Post columnist James Hohmann and Politico journalist Olivia Beavers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Congress Agrees on One Thing: National Seersucker Day
Congress can't seem to agree on anything these days with Republicans and Democrats seemingly at loggerheads over every piece of legislation. But Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana, and Rev. Raphael Warnack, a Democrat from Georgia, have put aside party politics to partner on a resolution marking Thursday, June 12, National Seersucker Day. This is the 12th year that Cassidy has championed the cause, which celebrates the summer fabric, since he revived the tradition in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014. More from WWD Ray and Charles Eames' Furniture to Be Focus of New Exhibition Gaurav Gupta Talks Bollywood Star Kiara Advani's Met Gala Gown - It's a Loaner Tarun Tahiliani Offers a Modern View of India-made Fashion 'Seersucker Day honors the New Orleans invention that's made America fashionable — and the summer heat bearable — since 1909,' Cassidy said. 'For one day a year, the Capitol looks a little more like the French Quarter. We might not always agree on policy, but we can all agree: wool in June is a mistake.' 'I'm excited to return as the co-chair for the annual Seersucker Day in our nation's capital and continue celebrating this iconic Senate tradition,' said Warnock. 'Seersucker is more than just a fabric, it is a material deeply woven into Southern culture. National Seersucker Day is a proud bipartisan tradition, and I look forward to working alongside Senator Cassidy to carry it on.' The use of seersucker was popularized in 1909 by New Orleans businessman Joseph Haspel Sr., who brought the puckered cloth popular in India to his home town and created suits that would stand up to the city's scorching summer heat and humidity. Haspel's great granddaughter Laurie Haspel Aronson still runs the company today. In 1996, former Mississippi Sen. Trent Lott brought Seersucker Thursday to Congress, where it was observed for several years. After falling by the wayside in 2012 and 2013, Cassidy revived it. The senator has invited other members of Congress to don their seersucker outfits for an official photograph at the Ohio Clock in the U.S. Capitol on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. ET, and he also encouraged all Americans to wear the fabric as well. Best of WWD Young Brooke Shields' Style Evolution, Archive Photos: From Runway Modeling & Red Carpets to Meeting Princess Diana The Most Memorable French Open Tennis Outfits With Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka & More [PHOTOS] Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter Tour' Outfits, Live Updates: Schiaparelli, Burberry, Loewe and More
The Hill
8 hours ago
- The Hill
Lawmakers get theatrical at annual ‘Will on the Hill' show
Several lawmakers took a break from debating legislation on Capitol Hill to instead recite William Shakespeare at Harman Hall on Tuesday evening. The Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) hosted its annual 'Will on the Hill,' welcoming members of Congress, journalists and students to perform popular Shakespeare scenes to fund its youth arts education programs, which reach nearly 20,000 students and teachers across the region. The over 20-year long tradition also seeks to promote bipartisanship, bringing together lawmakers and political strategists from across the aisle to bolster support for theatre and the arts. Rep. Dina Titus' (D-Nev.) performance of the last scene of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' was the hit of the night. Her interpretation of old-English Shakespeare, which included a southern accent, made the crowd roar in laughter. Another notable performance was the standoff between the Capulets and Montagues, two enemy families, in the opening scene of 'Romeo and Juliet.' As Atlantic journalist Steve Clemons, Republican political strategist Grover Norquist, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.) and Fox News correspondent Rich Edson bit their thumbs at each other on stage, the producers noted that giving them foam swords was the safest amid a tense political climate. The crowd then commended Sen. Chris Coons' (D-Del.) impersonation of Brutus plotting the assassination of Julius Caesar in the Shakespeare play. With political tensions rattling the country, seeing lawmakers fumbling over their words and trying to remember their lines proved to be refreshing entertainment. The elected officials were accompanied on stage by Holly Twyford, a pillar of D.C. theatre, and Renea Brown, an award winning actor. The show also included a stage combat demonstration by STC students. An elementary school student brilliantly played King Oberon in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' and two high school students performed 'All's Well That Ends Well.' STC executive director Angela Lee Gieras praised the event as an opportunity for children to express themselves, highlighting the courage it takes to perform in front of an audience. This year's performance was presented by Michael Evans, former Democratic chief counsel and deputy staff director for the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, who is an avid Shakespeare enthusiast. Samantha Wyer Bello's, STC's senior director of learning, returned to direct her sixth production of 'Will on the Hill.' STC also honored the memory of the late Democratic Reps. Gerry Connolly (Va.) and Rep. Charles Wrangle (N.Y.) for their dedication to public service and their year-after-year support of 'Will on the Hill.' Other cast members included Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI), Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), D.C. Council chairman Phil Mendelson, DC councilmember Brooke Pinto, D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities executive director Aaron Myers, and Politico journalist Olivia Beavers.
