Dolly Parton reveals she has 'no interest in politics', says she is 'too smart' to run for President
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Dolly Parton is not interested in running for President of the United States despite her recent criticism of politicians in her latest single 'World on Fire.'
"No. I don’t think anybody could actually do a great job at that. I think we’ve had enough 'b***s' in the White House. I would have no interest in politics," said the country icon.
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Dolly Parton says she is 'not qualified' for jobs in politics
The songwriter emphasized her commitment to her craft having clinched 11 Grammy awards and earned a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
"I try to do my thing through my songs, through the way I accept people and the way I try to make a difference," said the 'Jolene' singer.
She further explained why she does not consider herself to be qualified to run for President.
"I’m not smart enough to be in politics, or maybe I’m too smart. Either way, I’m not qualified for that type of a job," said Parton.
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"But I’m pretty qualified to do what I do, which is to point people in the right direction, to write about it in songs or speak about things," she said.
Dolly Parton's contributions through philanthropy
Parton, who has expressed her disinterestedness in becoming an official leader, has contributed to the world through her art and philanthropy.
"I like to think all of it has been important," the music icon said in an interview with Metro.
"But my favorite thing that I do is my Imagination Library that I started back in 1995 with my dad, who couldn’t read and write," she added.
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Parton has helped several children in the US, the UK, Australia, Ireland, and Canada learn to read through her Dollywood Foundation.
"It’s a literacy program where we give books to children from the time they’re born until they start school — once a month, they get a book in the mail," the 'Coat of Many Colors' performer said.
"It can pull families together, as well as helping a child get a head start. We’ve given away more than 200 million books to date — I’m really proud of that," she added.
For Parton's work with the Imagination Library, she became the first female entertainer to be awarded the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy.
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Speaking to People about her wish to help her hometown of Sevier County, Tennessee, she talked about her father's experience with illiteracy and said, "That always made me feel bad about my dad, so I started it based on that, just for our county," she said.
"Governor Phil Bredesen thought it was a great idea, so they took it statewide," she added.
"It's just grown in leaps and bounds ever since then, but it came from a place in my heart to try to help children in their young years, their most impressionable years, to learn how to read and write," Parton continued.