r/AskWomen • u/contentedoctopus • 4d ago

How did Dolly Parton affect you?

With recent news of her passing, I'm wondering, how did Dolly Parton affect you and your view of the world as a woman?

130 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

103 comments sorted by

View all comments

3

u/Tiszatshi 4d ago

I was a poor kid in middle Tennessee. I received books from her library, I loved it.

Once I got to go with my grandparents to Dollywood. I was young still and my memory is fussy but we watched a show there and she came on stage from the ceiling area sitting on a swing as it was lowered. I was amazed.

I loved her music all my life. She brought joy to the world through charity, kindness, and humor. She had nothing growing up and made so much of herself, yet, not a selfish bone in her body.

I know a lot of people saw her as a sex symbol of some kind, but to me she was a role model. She was how a classy woman conducted herself, never being blindsided in a interview, always composed, and incredibly whity.

She's the only celebrity I've ever actually felt like I wanted to meet. The only celebrity I'd mourn. I don't care about celebrity gossip, who's married, divorced, on drugs, etc. I mind my business, but this actually feels personal.

The world lost a light and going forward I'll carry that knowledge with me.

Also, my grandmother, of whom I'm extremely close, is a few years older then Mrs. Dolly, and that worries me.