Dolly Parton Urges Lawmakers Not to Erect Statue of Her: 'I Don't Think Putting Me on a Pedestal Is Appropriate at This Time'

Among Parton's philanthropic efforts, she founded a library designed for children under 5 to improve their literacy skills. She has also been vocal about COVID-19 efforts, participating earlier this month in a fundraiser for nonprofit arts organization Center Theater Group in Los Angeles, which has been out of operation since March due to the pandemic.

Last year, she created a YouTube series called Goodnight With Dolly, which provided a distraction for children in this time of unrest. Parton also made a million-dollar donation to Vanderbilt University to help them develop the Moderna vaccine.

In thanking the Tennessee legislature for their bill and desire to erect the statue, Parton wrote in her message that she is "honored and humbled."

The singer added, "I hope, though, that somewhere down the road several years from now or perhaps after I'm gone if you still feel I deserve it, then I'm certain I will stand proud in our great State Capitol as a grateful Tennesseean."

This article originally appeared on The Hollywood Reporter.