An Open Apology To Dolly Parton
Dear Dolly,
I’ll be honest. I used to think you were a bimbo. I used to think you flaunted your big boobs, teased hair, tiny waist, and your syrupy-sweet southern accent to sell yourself and your brand as a country singer. Granted, I was raised in the Midwest and lived as an adult for many years in the Northeast. I didn’t get you, much less the South.
For example, I’d heard about your origins as a poor girl from the hills of East Tennessee, and when I learned you’d created a theme park in your native Sevier County I rolled my eyes. “Really, a theme park?” I thought. “As if rollercoasters will really help the people of rural Appalachia. Why not create something truly useful to give back to your community, like a library.”
Oh.
You have created a library, actually, and possibly in a bigger and more magical way than any brick structure filled with books could. And this is where my understanding of who you are really began to shift.
When I moved to Knoxville eight years ago I received a welcome letter from “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.” It informed me that Dolly’s vision was to foster a love of reading among preschool children by mailing a specially selected book each month directly to any child under the age of 5. You had expanded it from Sevier County to my county, and if I had a preschool age child, it said, all I needed to do was sign her up and she would begin receiving books each month.
My daughter was not quite two then, and I can still see how her face lit up each time we pulled a book addressed to her out the mailbox every month. Several of them became her early childhood favorites, and are stored away should she have children of her own some day.
As a writer and editor, I’m a book hound and made sure my daughter has been exposed to reading at every turn. But you know better than anyone that not all kids have that privilege. I can’t imagine what a magical gift receiving a book every month must be for kids whose parents can’t afford to buy them or who don’t have easy access to a library. I quickly came to see the genius of your Imagination Library literacy program, and how you were making a difference in so many ways I never realized.
Your father was illiterate, which fueled your literacy passion. Now the Dolly Parton Imagination Library just surpassed gifting one million books to participating children around the world each month. To celebrate, your Dollywood Foundation randomly selected one of those children to receive a $30,000 college scholarship. Two-year-old Evey, from Conway, Arkansas, has no idea yet how fortunate she is, but her parents surely do.
But what finally brings me to this overdue apology is how I’ve seen you respond to the devastating wildfires that swept through your hometown communities of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. At least 14 vibrant lives were taken tragically too soon, and thousands of buildings and homes were damaged or destroyed.
You made a public statement saying that you were heartbroken, while also expressing deep gratitude to the firefighters who protected Dollywood and evacuated everyone staying there to safety. Dollywood is the place I once dismissed, but now know is the largest employer in Sevier County and is the largest ticketed tourist attraction in Tennessee, hosting over 3 million guests a season. East Tennessee will count on that tourism to rebuild.
With the humble generosity and graciousness I’m learning is signature Dolly Parton, you’re not only planning a telethon to raise funds for the fire victims, but you’ve also created the My People Fund to provide, as you say, a “hand up to all those families who have lost everything in the fires.”
Those struggling families—and there are hundreds of them—will receive, thanks to you, $1,000 a month for 6 months. Countless stories detail how these families escaped with literally minutes to spare, and with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. And with each story, there’s a strong undercurrent of hope about how strangers helped one another and how this region is “mountain strong.” Your generosity both reflects and inspires this region’s spirit and resiliency.
Tonight, my daughter, who is now 9 and also loves to sing and act, has been using face paint to dress up as one of the DC comic heroines she and her friends admire. When she finished, she asked, “Hmmm, what other Superhero girl do I admire?”
I sat down next to her and said, “Let me tell you about Dolly.” In fact, I hope to take her to a Christmas show at Dollywood during this season of gratitude, and I’ll be making a donation to your My People Fund. I can’t imagine a more inspiring place to be, or a better way to support an amazing example of what it looks like to make the world a stronger place, starting with your own sweet community.
Dolly, I’m sorry I didn’t get you sooner—and I thank you for all you are, and all that you do.
Your biggest new fan,
Amy Rawe
_____
Read a Q&A with Amy about this post: An “Open Apology” Gone Viral
WBIR interview: Writer publishes heartfelt apology, thank you to Dolly Parton
Rawe-struck 
What a lovely letter. I hope you actually sent it to her!
Right. This is a worthy read why? Because it’s your diary entry about your limited perception and how you judge women and southerners on stereotypes or disinterest. Being lazy is newsworthy. DP aldo has funded college for young adults in sevier county for decades and funds public library children departments all over the state of Tennessee. Glad you were able to shatter your bubble once it reached your bubble. Your child your reality. I’m sure dolly care about your revelation-
I think the point of posting something like this is that if she had a limited view of who Dolly Parton is then certainly others might too. It spreads the message. Maybe the poster has done or said something specifically that makes you seem to feel very angry towards her. (?) I bet Dolly would care to see that she is appreciated by people of all walks of life. At least, I hope so. Let’s spread love and acceptance. We don’t know each other’s stories. May you be blessed through this Christmas season and in the new year to come.
get over it. the man stepped up to the plate and did a open apology. good on him. I felt the same way about dolly that she was the reason pigeon forge is nothing but a over saturated theme park. NOTHING to do with the great smoky mountains tho that is the “lure” to bring people in. maybe he started off harsh. but cant say this is how he sees all women or southerners. he just stated dolly.
😇😇
What man? The author’s name is Amy. I loved this piece, it was beautifully written and hopefully will open someone else’s eyes. I simply do not understand people who can read something like this and see only the bad. I agree with you TOTALLY critterc….she needs to get over it! God Bless!
Alison Aldred: Wisdom too often never comes, and so one ought not to reject it merely because it comes late. Felix Frankfurter. Also, let’s not shame those who share their enlightenment as their light may guide others. That’s from me.
As someone who has spent 40 years following, paying attention to, and admiring Dolly Parton Alison, I will wager that Ms Parton does indeed care about the writer’s revelation. In fact, I will wager that Ms Parton celebrates letters such as this.
Dolly Parton, in my observation, has always lived in such a manner as to be an example to others of humility, kindness, gratitude, goodness, joy, peace, patience, and love. In case you are unaware, much of what I just listed are also among the fruit of the Spirit that the Apostle Paul also lists.
I imagine that Ms Parton, should she read this open letter of apology, would be very happy to know that her example has been such that it has moved someone to change their thinking from one of negativity and contempt to one of respect and hope.
TROLL! You are the antithesis of DP’s generosity. Reading her post brought joy & new insight to me … always welcome, no matter how late. You are the “judgey” one. Don’t break your arm patting yourself on the back. I wonder how much you know about Prince’s charitable acts …
My earlier comment was in reply to Alison Aldred … aka Scrooge McHater.
This is newsworthy because a person (Amy Rawe) had the humility to openly recant and invalidate her preconceived and erroneous perception. I’m not a huge Dolly fan although I found humor in her movies. Her music is not in my preferred style although I do admire her talent and business sense.
Mostly it is newsworthy because it is a changed opinion. Please note that in today’s social media world that is extremely rare. America is becoming more polarized every day. People who actually do take time to research any given issue tend to gravitate toward their own bias confirmation either consciously or subconsciously. For someone to actually contemplate an issue (or a person) and then adjust their opinion is refreshing. I like it.
Oh shut up.
This was said to Allison who truly cannot be southern…no southerner would have embarrassed a person issuing such a heartfelt apology
You need to practice some “Southern Hospitality: Alison and realize that Amy has done what you can’t seem to-lay down her ego and admit she was wrong.
She’s one of the stars who has truly shared her wealth with others — as well as a love of books to thousands of kids.
I have always been a fan of Dolly’s Music since the early 70s but every time I hear of her good works she makes me more and more proud and amazed at her good works! She is truly a woman who has owned her past, blessed it, move past it, and try to make generous improvements along the way.
Dolly is a class act and so are you Amy Rawe!
I’m from Tennessee and I’ve always loved and admired Dolly Parton. She has been one of my favorite people since I was a little girl. She is an amazing, talented, generous, wise, kind-hearted person who demonstrates and personifies God’s love – she gives His love walking boots. Thank you Dolly!
You are truly a class act you are kind and you have never forgotten where you came from may many blessings come to and all of those who were affected by this free heartbreaking as it is and others who are going through tuff times thank you for letting people know that that no matter how far you make it i life you never forget how you can always help others God bless you
I just prayed for God to bless Dolly because I believe that she would not be able to receive a blessing from God without bringing it out to other people. My respect for her grew greatly from reading your open apology.
Our attitudes toward people can be affected by our subconscious projecting expectations based on past experiences with entirely different people. We will likely be completely unaware of this and merely feel prejudice without knowing why.
We know and feel strong in our convictions, for example, that it is evil and unjust for a white person to hate a black person for the color of his or her skin. We may know and preach that such prejudices are evil, unjust, cruel, irrational, bigoted, and to be detested, and yet we may hold prejudices that are just as irrational and unfair.
For instance, we may have encountered a traumatic situation with someone with curly blonde hair or with a particular shape, accent, kind of clothing, makeup, voice, mannerism, profession, or political persuasion.
It is easier to overcome those prejudices if we know what is happening and why.
As it is just as evil and unjust for a black person to hate a white person for the color of their skin!
By the way, you didn’t mention Dolly’s music, but if you want to really understand what kind of musician Dolly Parton is, listen to:
Katherine Jenkins’ “L’amore see tu.” Also known as “I Will Always Love You.”
Reblogged this on Oodles and Gobs and commented:
This!
Dolly is an inspiring, caring, and loving person, whose kindness and heartfelt empathy for people in their time of need keeps hope alive. God bless her.
This is irrefutable evidence of how ignorant it is to judge someone based on their looks. I am blessed to know of Amy Rawe and deeply appreciate her letter to Dolly.
You’re a white woman from the Midwest and you were prejudice toward Dolly! Glad you repented
I would just like to comment on the fact that Alison Aldred’s mean-spirited reply (above) is less about commending Dolly Parton, and way too much about taking cheap pot-shots at a person who had shown an admirable willingness to let go of some of her prejudices. Ms. Aldred should think about doing the same.
GOOD ON YOU!!! This will be a huge and wonderful teaching tool to others (and aren’t we all st one time or another) so quick to form and often voice an opinion without knowing all the facts. Today is my 65th bday and your post is a lovely gift I’d like to repost and share!!!! 💖
Nice work Dolly, we appreciate your community spirit. What a caring person you are and while we live out west, I envy the people living in your community. Our little 9 year old grandson loves to read and have stories read to him and I know that he would have been thrilled to bits to have a book sent to him each month.
Thanks to you for being such a great lady.
she has always said you get what an there has always been quality in her voice that she is just an awesome person an she will always love every one
***Alison Aldred this is a person wh0 is admitting that her thoughts, words and actions were wrong and misplaced and she is taking responsibility for that in this post. At least give her credit for that much. I came accross this blog by accident but you should probably take note. It’s people like her that help restore my faith in humanity and our future in the chidren who are (hopefully) raised like I assume hers is. It’s called having a heart and owning your actions and trying to correct them in order to be a better person and setting a good example for others. I hope you find some happiness in this world before it’s too late for you. It sounds like you need it.
I can’t imagine thinking she was dumb in any way. All one would have to do to know she is a great role model for girls is listen to one interview. She was the first woman songwriter to refuse to give her copyrights away and demand equal treatment by publishers/producers. Elvis wanted to record Coat of Many Colors but he demanded that he get equal billing as songwriter. She refused, even though at the time it would have been a huge boost to her career. She has always been fair and just to all she encountered plus her style of self-depreciating humor shows her head and her heart.
I have to say that I am very disappointed in the number of negative comments I’ve read here. I dare say there is not one among us that has not misjudged a person without really knowing anything about them. Amy Rawe was willing to admit her misjudgement and apologize. That takes far more courage than bashing someone for apologizing. I was born, raised and live in Mississippi, and I know a lot about misguided preconceptions. Bottom line when someone apologizes, you don’t lambast them. My mama always said, “If you can’t say something nice, say nothing at all.” Amy I loved your post. Thank you.
I never saw her as just a bimbo with boobs. I am not a college grad just an electrician but I know good people when I pay attention and educate myself about people, places and things. Give the benefit of the doubt unless your gut says otherwise.
“I didn’t get you, much less the South.” It took Dolly’s response to wildfires that killed 14 people for you to feel the need to publicly apologize to her (finally is the word I believe you used) for your clearly long held presumptions. According to you, you’ve lived in Knoxville now for eight years. I’m curious. Do you “get” the South now or do you still think we need a library. This post has candy coated snobbery all over it. Congratulations on your traffic though. May it bring awareness to next week’s telethon.
I have to agree with you Melinda….I detected the candy coated snobbery too…
You said it all!
You will never find a better person, she is a class act. Proud that she is from Tennessee.
It is currently Dec. 9th 2016 at 4:03 PM Eastern time in the USA. Why are all these comments dated from 8:30 PM to 8:50 PM on Dec 9, 2016 which is in the future of the current time???
Why does there always have to be at least one person (Allison)who has to be negative and nasty . Dolly Parton is a Class act and always has been.
kudos to you for writing this. I haven’t ever been a big fan of dolly. I have always felt because of Dollywood is why pigeon forge looks the way it does. over saturated with thrill rides, restuarants, motels, cabins. etc. the forge is ruined in my book.
ive known about her book and scholarship programs and had earned respect for doing something for the people who’s area she helped turn into what I call a circus. but doing what she’s doing for the fire victims? well she most definitely stepped up to the plate on this one.
using the money she banks off people who MUST hit Dollywood (to me its just another theme park) and her fame to bring awareness to the victims of a fire a couple of punks decided to start.
you did good. this is very well written. and kudos again to you for putting it out in the open.
I grew up in a small town in Kansas and have always been a fan of Dolly Parton. She has always been an inspiration. I am so glad that you have seen that inspiration and have changed your mind about her. She truly is an amazing and selfless person always thinking of others.
Regarding a previous negative comment: I am a southern woman born and bred in Nashville, TN and I don’t find it “southernly” at all to attack this woman who is admitting her past prejudices and trying to atone for them. What more can she do? We should all be so forthcoming about our shortcomings.
I have watched Dolly Parton since I was a young girl, and I sm a grandmother now! Always have loved her music, her movies, aņd her bigger than life heart! My daughter and I took a vacation this past September to Gatlinburg and Dollywood. It was beautiful in that area. We were so dismayed and heatbroken to hear about and see the devestation of the area. Thank you Dolly Parton for being you and helping all those who lost so much in that horrific fire disaster!!
AMEN, sprig1999!!! Amy Rawe, you are disgusting!! You only wanted your name in print for all the World too see!! Do not believe for one minute because you live in the south now you have any idea what you’re talking about!! You’ll NEVER “get” Dolly Parton or the South!!
Wow, Dolly does not need your approval or apology. She has never denied she purposely has used the cheap bimbo look to promote herself. Nothing wrong with that at all. She is a gifted performer who has people in the palm of her hand as soon as she opens her mouth. She has written st least a thousand songs and is one of the smartest business women in tbe world.
Your old asdumptions are true and Dolly has never denied it was her gimmick. She talks about it all the time. So if you think you miss judged her you are wrong. You always had her figured out, you just weren’t smart enough to get her. She has always been very generous, she just doesn’t flaunt it. She will, however be the first to say she uses her big boobs and tiny waist to get attention. If you don’t get that or you think it’s a bad thing, I am sure Dolly couldn’t care less.
I am not a mean person, but, it took a huge ego to write that open letter to Dolly. Like it matters what you think of her.
This was a very interesting apology it started out sounding a little condescending and smug but it ended up being forthright and honest and actually showing the dynamic of the person who wrote it! I really appreciate the writer for stepping up and expressing her feelings. Although I usually don’t read stuff like this but it captured my attention for some reason! I really love Dolly Parton I believe she is a very beautiful person inside and out, a kind and loving soul. May God bless her with a hundred fold return for all the people that she has helped and cared for in Jesus name I pray amen. And to the writer thank you for sharing.
Reblogged this on Would You Consider?.
Mrs. Dolly Parton is a wonderful woman and one of the few famous people who don’t try to hide her past. She is honest, hard working, loves her family, and has always been truthful about her up bringing. Most of all, as soon as she started making a bit of money she started helping her family and the more money she made the more she helped, starting with her own community and then on to others. Yes, she built Dollywood, and then by building it she made jobs for the people in the area. Mrs. Dolly grew up in poor but most importantly she grew up in a LOVING FAMILY and she has and contunies to share that wonderful love for decades. Not only is she famous for her songs and music, she also has been married for 50 years, and I can assure you if you meet her on the street you would never know who she was. She is truthful about her wigs and stuff, it’s because of that she can take off her wigs, make up, ect.. and be a normal person when she is not on on stage. She is down to earth, solid in her faith in God. She gives him credit for all the blessing in her life and she is a hero to many and always will be.
I have always loved Dolly, she is a genuine transparent lady with a big heart. God blesd you Dolly for all the love and kindness you shown to perfect sttangers.
Such a remarkable American Woman Hero. I only wish that I had the funds to add to her endeavors which she continues quietly over the years… More people who have succeeded in their endeavors need to give to those less fortunate and/or in some sort of personal crises. Such a much better life so many glean for the selfless acts of people like Dolly Parton.
I have always loved Dolly’s music. Somewhere along the way, I learned her heart is as beautiful as her songs. Only made me admire her more. I used to think she was as fake as her hair. She is truly a God loving spirit.
Kindness matters. I am happy Amy revealed her past feelings about Dolly and the SOUTH. I’m sure she’s not alone in her misconceptions. Let’s all move forward in a fashion that would make Dolly proud. Commit a random act of kindness instead of criticizing others.
I have been a fan of Dolly’s since I first saw her on the Porter Wagoner show. Dolly, you are a class-act; you are a caring person; you set an example of giving; you spread infectious joy to each person you touch. God bless you!
Amy Rawe, you too are a class act. Not many people would go to the trouble of writing and publishing an apology in such a gracious manner. YES, Dolly is and always has been one of our Southern Heroines… and there are many others. Welcome to the South. Hang around, and we’ll adopt you. You act and sound like one of us.
I wish great returns, and prayers for such a generous person. Thank you
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I hope you apply the lesson here to any other judgments you make of people. Many have a back story. I saw an interview with Dolly when I was in middle school. She said she grew up in a really poor area and the reason that she wear’s skimpy clothes was because the prostitutes in her area were the only ones with newer clothes that looked bright and beautiful. This is why we should never judge anyone by their outside. We need to apply this to people of all backgrounds, races, and colors.
I think you are what we should all aspire to be. Maybe there are faults but most people do. I’ve seen many people in the industry you are in that are all false and never think about anyone but theirselves and their money. We need role models for the public and our children. Thank you for giving your money, time, and effort to make this a better place.
I have visited Dollywood a few times and have enjoyed every visit. Once I was there and even got to see Dolly. Sure would have liked to talk to her but so would every one else. During visits we stay at hotels and I have talked to many workers at the hotels and they praise Dolly for making jobs for them so they can stay in there hometown. Also not knowing if it is true but I was told by a worker she gave the residents of Sevier County a discount to Dollywood. That is a blessing that she does not have to do. God Bless you Dolly. You are an angel……………………
I knew the words to coat of many colors as a small boy and many of her songs growing up in Texas through the sixties and 70s had a high tinner voice then lol and would sing along ; I’ve always loved and admired dolly part on as will anyone who looks past the hype of media and sees the lady with the grandest of hearts and soul !!!! Sincerely a forty nine year fan
I really enjoyed reading this post and learning about Dolly Parton’s philanthropy. A heartwarming and inspiring post, thank you
I think you are what God expected of a human!!!
Good to see you come around, Amy; your kind words made me a little weepy. Dolly Parton a blessing to the folks in Tennessee, and an inspiration to many people.
But she still has big boobs, right ?!?
I have loved dolly pardon from day 1.. I always wanted to meet her never been to pigeon forge but it is on my bucket list.. keep on shinning DOLLY….. LOVE YOU from savannah ga
DOLLY RULES! DJT take a lesson!