In November 2001, Good Housekeeping magazine awarded its Seal of Approval to Dolly for her work with her Imagination Library program, marking the first time the distinction was given to a person.
Dolly, in typical good humor, responded that her husband Carl “doesn't know why they gave her the seal since she never does any (housekeeping).”
The Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval dates back to 1905 when the magazine started testing products and accepting advertising from those that “met its approval.” Dolly’s Imagination Library provides communities the opportunity to ensure its pre-school-aged children receive age-appropriate books on a monthly basis to encourage reading.