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 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 
Brought a lump to my throat and a feeling of guilt for dismissing celebrities because we can’t see the heart beating underneath the boobs. And you showed it. And I respect and admire it.
Friends of our lost their home not sure about their business in Gatlinburg. God spared their lives. Prayers for all. Thank you Dolly.
God BLESS!!!!!!!!!
God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. I have always loved Dolly Parton.
Reblogged this on Dana Taylor Books and commented:
Dolly Parton puts her money where her heart is…
Reblogged this on Hey There Geordie Girl and commented:
Admired Dolly for years – happy to read this post – and thought of the old cliche – “you can’t judge a book by its cover”
I never could understand that people were commanded by God “Not to Judge Others”, but they do. It’s real folks, we rarely know others hardships and often don’t know their kind acts. God Bless you Dolly and those suffering in TN, at this time. I’ve always loved you. It’s not hard to see you really cared even before this tragedy. It’s the judgmental mind that hinders us and God clearly knew it would. To think, he knew to give us this commandment speaks volumes.
Dolly your definitely One of God’s blessings ♡♡
Thank you for being so big hearted & for helping those in need.
Tears to my eyes
Nice
I have always loved Dolly and knew she stood for giving to others! God bless her always as she continues to bless others!
What a warm letter of gratitude that the public at large also needed to know. Thank you for revealing her generosity and thank you Dolly
This is just beautiful……thank you for sharing.
Having worked at Dollywood from the age of 14-20, I know first-hand how it contributes to the Mountains and its peoples.
However, Dolly Parton didn’t create Dollywood. The theme park used to be Silver Dollar City, and then Dolly contributed her name to it in the late 80s/early 90s. Eventually, she bought it out and added it to her ever-increasing brand: Dixie Stampede, Lumberjack Adventure, hotel, etc.
When I heard my Mountains were on fire (I now live overseas), my heart broke. My husband, not growing up there or knowing what I do, said, “They’ll have insurance. They’ll get their money back.”
It wasn’t money that worried me. It was lives, memories…and livelihoods that I was scared of losing. I waited, with bated breath, for Dolly to say something, anything, about the tragedy.
And, as she does, she came through with more than anyone could expect.
No, Dolly doesn’t just pay lip service to her childhood and past. She learned from it, she grew from it, and she remembers it. And she knows just because she found success in the way of fame and fortune doesn’t mean all of her Appalachian community will or can.
Over the years, Dolly Parton has earned my greatest respect. When she won the CMAs Lifetime Achievement Award (?) this year, I was one of those giving a standing ovation to honor this woman’s achievements.
She may appear fake and shallow, but as she says in her best self-deprecating manner, “It takes a lot of work to look this cheap.” She’s a real person with real beauty – where it counts.
I pray God blesses her, and she reaps an even greater reward in the next life for what she’s done in this one.
Very nice statement. Great, and a bit refreshing, to read something by someone who thinks before they write. Good luck!
Silver Dollar City is in Branson, MO, and continues to be a great family theme park. Dolly created Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. Two different places.
This is a very eye opening view of Dolly Patron. I love all her songs and am all the way in Kenya . she is a very inspiring person as most celebrities do no do this at all. Amy Rawe, thank you for writing this
I’ve always loved Dolly. N. Always willl
Dolly has always been my inspiration . N. I Love Her. N her music
God bless Dolly. She is a hell of a woman who remembers her roots ànd the golden rule.
Thank you Dolly for all you have done for our USA We need a lot of more fortunate people to step forward to help people. I would love to be able to help but I can’t . Your hrart is on the right side Ha ha.
I have always thought, if I could choose girl friends, I’d really like to be friends with Dolly. She is charming, down-to-earth and has that strong, “salt of the earth” quality that I admire in self sufficient women. May God continue to bless you, Dolly.
What a beautifully written letter! I also at one point in my life thought Dolly was, as you described, a bimbo. I couldn’t have been more wrong! She is one of the kindest, most love filled women ever! I respect her for helping her community and intend on visiting Dollywood sometime just to give back to her. Thanks to Dolly for proving what it means to have a heart for others! Love you!
I too have great respect for Dolly, but equal to her kindness and generosity, is her strong business instincts. She has a lot to lose economically (maybe the most) if these communities do not rebound quickly, so her generosity is also a very wise investment in this case.
How much did the clinton foundation donate?
Dolly has done a lot for that area down there. She puts her money in the area, such as the failing amusement park that now has her name. She is awesome, always has been, always will be.
What a beautiful legacy of love you have given, to so many over the years Dolly.
I know one day you will be shown all the lives you have changed. Your journey has touched so many along the way. I know your family is so proud of everything you do, especially to help out kids.
I grew up watching you grow up on TV. Always in awe of your musical genius. Nothing I love better than listening to some Dolly.
I send my deepest sympathies to the families who experienced such a horrible losses. May the angels bring you comfort and peace.
I am so thankful the fires are over, and the outpouring of love has began.
I loved that you are the huge hearted country girl, I had always heard of.
I love that you want to give them a hand up-not a hand out!
I have never had the opportunity to visit your Dollywood and library. But I definitely will be there ASAP, in 2017.
God bless you sweet Dolly, and thank you so much for your example of love!
Will you marry me Dolly.
A VERY WONDERFUL PERSON & WOMAN,THANK U Dolly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
God bless you Dolly for being such a blessing to so many people!!
Go through my blogs:
https://ansaonlineblog.wordpress.com/author/ansasohailblogs/
Dolly, you are a true American gem with a
heart of gold. Thank you!
Perfect example of perspective, how all of ours are different, and how different regions of the country create different lives and are ALL deserving of respect AND representation. This is why the electoral college works, and popular vote by state, not by country is the fairest most representative way in the political system. Otherwise, those in the “northeast” as you were from, and those in big cities on the other coast, would dictate to the rest of us. It’s an important lesson. We all think we know everything, that we know everyone by typecasting them, when it is the furthest thing from the truth. You just learned that in your own family experience. What a great letter. And yes, we all love Dolly.
How absolutely lovely. I always knew she was Special! Greetings from Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
I have ALWAYS loved Dolly. I used to listen to her on WJJD in IL. I love here 70’s version of coat of many colors & I will always love you. They are the best of ALL her versions. I can’t see though how she played the guitar with her long nails I’m Coat of many colors
My family and I have made an annual trip to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge for the past ten years. My heart broke when I heard about the fires. Even as we watched the news, I told my mom thast Dolly would do something to help the people who lost everything. That’s just who she is.
Nice.. for Inner Beauty..m
Dolly you are a very good person . One of the best I know. Wish I could be more like you . we all thank you for everything you do to help everyone . Thank you and God Bless
Nice Post.
What an absolutely lovely and profound piece. Thank you for sharing your process and insights. It’s amazing, isn’t it, the stories we can create in our heads when we just *don’t know? I’m so glad you came around and that you shared your truth. Wonderful.
I love dolly always have! I remember as a kid how I wanted to be just like her! As I grew up that changed but I still have much respect for her and all she does! She is a amazing women and a great role model. I can only hope that more people will see what she does for others and do the same! God bless you Dolly!
I’ve always loved Dolly’s music ! She is so real even with all the beautiful wigs, makeup and outfits her true self shines thru !! Love the TV movies about her childhood ! Hoping there will be more ! Thank you, Dolly and may God Bless you every day !❤️Love ya, Stacey
Don’t forget how she also basically single handed, changed the education graduation rate in Sievereville! She is at every graduation, on the stage , talking to each graduate and hands them a check! She has done so much for the area and “her people”.
She is an extraordinary bundle of joy.
Dolly Pardon is an Angel God sent this world she has a heart of gold she has been blessed in her life and she chooses to bless others suffering❤ I love both of her movies I just wish I had a way to have recorded them.
Without all the Christian slavering, shes a decent human being. But, because of my own experience, i realize i should strive to be compassionate towards others without the Jesus mess I grew up with. Peace.
“Judge not, that ye be not judged.”
Dolly knew she was a good person all along. I’m pretty sure any else’s judgement of her wasn’t on her mind. Love you, Dolly, always have.
She’s also doing pro bono advertising for the Red Cross and working with them to provide housing temporarily. Inspiring woman whose feet track the reality of her promises.
I totally agree with Amy. I have always followed Dolly through her singing and acting career . Sorry to say I have never been to Dollywood. Can’t aford to go on trips. But I hear it is an amazing place.. Doesn’t surprise me, I am sorry I can’t give to the fund for the people, but I can offer prayers . That our precious Lord will send those who can.. I serve an awesome God, and he can do anything… I pray that the Lord will rise up the people to come together and rebuild a great community with amazing and loving people. Thank you for your generosity and love for human beings.. I have several grandchildren that loves to read, or be read to. I would love to be able to have them on the mailing list to receive a book for them to read. I too am a lover of books. They take me places I have never been before. I love it…So if I could please have the information on how to get them started , my name and address is . Joy Porter.. 430 Big Buck Trail, Alapaha, Georgia.. 31622.. Cell # 229-646-2836… My favorite place to vacation is Gatlinburg Tenn. I have only been there once with a Ladies Retreat at church and have never forgotten it. My favorite place we went to was Christas Gardens . Amazing place. So peaceful. One day I hope to go back and visit everything and Dollywood. God Bless you from the bottom of my heart for what you are doing to help rebuild the families of that sad tragedy of wildfires. I am truely sorry for all that everyone has gone through. My prayers are with you all . God Bless you and May God pour out his love and blessings on all the victims and their families.. Sincerely, Joy Porter…
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I worked at Dollywood in the early 1990’s. It is a very special place to me as is that whole area. I was not at all surprised to hear that Dolly jumped right in to help her people. Her love of the mountains and the people who live there is fierce.
It’s a shame that it took this tragedy to change minds! She’s always been very genuine in interviews and on talk shows. For someone to successfully make it as long as she has in the biz should prove that she’s not a bimbo!
I have loved Dolly my entire life.
I love her even more now.
Angel on earth 💜