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 
I have always loved Dolly! She is an amazing angel God has sent to help the world become a better place!
God has Angels 👼 on earth. Mrs. Dolly sings like one, is beautiful as one, and most of all giving as one! Thank you so much! If I ever get to Dolliewood I hope to meet her.
I just watched the movies of Dolly as a child “Coat of many colors” and “the color of love” and they were wonderful! You can see how she grew up and became who she is today. In the second one, you will see why she dressed the way she does. She was writing songs when she was six! I would highly recommend these movies for your young girls. She was and is a great role model, and we need those more now than ever. ❤️
I agree with this comment. I am glad your path lead you to the South and to experience Dolly personally. Dolly is an American treasure. May you be blessed to
met many more like her in the South.
Being an author yourself, you should know better than to judge a book by its cover! Dolly is a wonderful person and has been since way before being rich and famous. She has a heart of gold…sorry it took you so long to realize this.
We all have made mistakes and said and thought things we regret. Kudos to Amy Rawe for being humble and able to admit a past judgement of someone she didn’t know. I appreciate her honesty, no need to scold her here
I agree, no scolding necessary. Who among us hasn’t made an early judgement call, only to later learn that there’s more to a person or a situation than we first realized.
Great letter; thanks for your honesty.
Wow.
I like stories like this and these are the things people should know about special people in our country. Kudos to Amy for bringing it up and to Dolly’s contributions. I have two grand children and love hearing these stories. All the best and Merry Christmas to the both of you!
I grew up loving Dolly and enjoying her music and entertainment. It is only as an adult that I have come to know what an amazing woman she is and see beyond the entertainer to see her as a person with a heart of gold. It warms my heart to see how she has touched so many lives and genuinely cares for others. I am so happy as a mother, that my own daughters love her (even though they don’t listen to country music as avidly as I did at their age) they think she is awesome. Not because of her music or appearance. They simply see her as a kind and beautiful woman. I am so glad there were role models like Dolly for me as I was growing up and she continues to be an inspiration for young women today.
Thank you Dolly for everything you do for everybody!
You are a true Angel…
A bright shining light in the darkness….
God Bless You ❤
Amy….what an amazing positive humble attitude you have….
My God richly bless you and your Family. ❤
Dolly is number one Person of the Year. I don’t care what that silly mag says.
My father was a huge dolly fan so I was forced to visit dollywood twice a year from the time it opened. Then it was so small and unknown that we were actually able to see her in person many times and sometimes some of her visiting fellow county music stars. I too took offense to her desires to make herself look so “trashy.” As a young girl fighting to crawl out of my life of poverty and repression I thought I knew she faced that life with the wrong solution. Until I went to college to study social services and psychology.
I challenge this author to research the reasoning dolly chose to display herself as a big boobed, small waisted, painted up blonde and then explain it to her daughter as she asked her to dress up that way. A woman can be both sexy and desired AND smart, educated and literate AND be proud of both.
I’VE LEARNED LOTS ABOUT DOLLY.SHE HAS A BIG HEART .THE LORD WILL
BLESS HER IN ALL THE OUTREACH SHE IS DOING.IF ALL WORK TOGETHER
GOD WILL BLESS.THANK YOU DOLLY
GWEN USRY
Thank you Dolly for your music, philanthropy not only in East Tennesse,but throughout the world. Specifically,thank you and your organization for providing employment at Dollywood for my elder daughter to attend nearby Carson Newman College,and gradute school at ole “Rocky Top. No matter what she does in the future in her career with a PhD at University of Illinois teaching in Department of music there. I have prayed and given,thanks to God for you, Dollywood, and the loving caring approach to those to whom you touch everyday. R. Nichols
Clearly your open letter apology to her is eight years overdue as when the first book arrived to your daughter that should have told you something about her then and there. I am not a Dolly Parton fan, but I have always thought she was the most genuine celebrity on this planet. At least the author finally understands that.
I ‘ve always loved Dolly and just when you think you couldn’t love her anymore…
Thanks for your beautiful letter.
If only more jaded, cynical people could learn what you learned
I love Dolly! I would only add that the theme park is a huge blessing to the tens of thousands of people that it employs. And it is a huge draw for tourism which is a finaciancial boon to the people she cares so much about. Dolly is a class act, a singular talent, and a faithful philanthropist. She is an incredible woman!
She really is a cool lady and I loved this write up thank you. I’d learned some of her story from Drunk History (lol) but this was great. Well said (:
Love you, Dolly Parton…Our Father is lifted up in praise as you allow Him to show His love through you. God is love for all and you are a reflection of Him and how much He loves us. I praise Him and am thankful for you.
Dolly you truly are an angel on earth. God Bless You Always.
What a great witness,Dolly was given her special abilities from birth.She was raised to be a good woman,not only by her mom but she had God in her heart.She has played it forward for years W/O expecting anything in return.I have always had a very high respect for her.My girls took me to concert of Dolly’s years ago.It was not fake in any way,dolly was herself and i adored her.My girls grew up loving her to.Thank you Dolly for helping others,we love you.
We were told by a man with Westgate Resorts when we tayed there in abkut 2012. He talked about Dolly and how she has helped Other small businesses and having her name connected has saved many from shutting down. She does love her community and shows it. More even now.
When I read this it brought tears to my eyes. Dolly has been a special person in my life. My Danny loved her, we saw her in concert in Charleston WVa. The next morning he had tears in his eyes and he said she will not wear the coat of many colors anymore. Ater he passed away a few years later I was transferred to Maryville Tn. I bought season pass and enjoyed Dollywood about every weekend.I am now living in Greenboro and miss all the good times that Dolly made possible. She is very special.
In 1963, I was 18 & newly married to Larry McCullouch, we had the incredible blessing of seeing and hearing Dolly Parton & Porter Waggoner perform at a Taylor Machine Works picnic at the home of Mr & Mrs W. A. Taylor.
It was a yearly event for the employees of Taylor Machine Works.
What an amazing experience it was to see and hear a live performance so early in her career. It has been a joy to follow her career and see her become such a magical gift from God’s hands. Thank you God for giving…thank you Dolly for sharing… After all these years we still turn the radio up and smile when we hear your beautiful voice.
Charlotte Webb McCullouch
I have always loved Dolly Parton and I admire her for giving back to her community in this time of need. God will bless you for that! Keep up the good work.
Also, I believe most people don’t know ” I Will Always Love You”, often associated with Whitney Houston, was written and first recorded by Dolly Parton. It is one of the best-selling singles of all time.
I challenge you and every reader who has friends and acquaintances on either the west or east coasts of our country to forward your beautifully written piece to each of them. I’m posting it on Facebook. And, add that Dolly is the wife of one man for more than 50 years.
Dolly is one smart lady. You know that from her quick
comebacks to the late night shows. I think Johnny Carson was
in total awe of her brain (and of course her shapely figure).
I knew DOLLY was this WONDERFUL because growig up POOR gives you Different perspective on LIFE. . .makes you so compassionate and understanding of those in need…DOLLY, we fans love you…this open apology to you summed it all up. God will bless you 10 times over for all you so for others.
Get over yourself Jeanie! Admiring someone is not claiming them to be God or Godlike.
I think you all missed my point. I never said that Dolly isn’t a nice person or that she doesn’t help others. I said I don’t understand this “God-like” praise given to her. For your information, my Dad contributed every payday to the UMWA Community Chest which, if you no nothing about the old coal miners, is a charity that was always a part of their organization. Granted, he was not able to give a thousand a month (he barely earned that) but what he did give was probably harder for him than what Dolly has given. That being said, no one should toot their own horn about what they give to others, according to my bible, so .I won’t.
And my father never murdered anyone and you are a very nasty person for saying such a horrible thing. Also, I have no bitterness over my childhood. It made me who I am today. I am currently retired from a very good job and I have a beautiful family. I’m just saying, get over this celebrity worship that our whole country is enveloped in. All those people have their own reasons for doing what they do and I don’t personally know Dolly as I am sure neither do most of you, but along with her good heart, she also has her reasons. Give me a break! I also like her music and have since the Porter Wagoner days, but as I said earlier, she is not God, at least not my God!
No she is not God but she certainly meets the criteria of being what we are expected as Christian followers to do! Being a good example as well as giving endlessly. You do sound bitter and assume nobody gives for the “right reasons” but only for their own benefit. How sad! My dad grew up in poverty too and grew up to be a hard-working union man like your dad…& community chest or united way is not the only way to give. Their (his & Dolly’s)kind of poverty seems to touch their soul with a generous heart for NO REASON other than knowing what it’s like! No ulterior motive!
I have known for a long time of Dolly’s giving heart. She just doesn’t advertise it .
Glad you have seen the truth about Dolly AND the South.
Southerners are a curious lot, but the kindest, most generous people you will ever meet.
Thank heavens you were delivered from life in the tragic Northeast.
Blessings to you and your family.
This is so inspiring to me. Wish I was able to afford to do this, I would really start today. God bless you. I am 68 and love children’s books because I love and work with kids at The Boys and Girl Club of The BlueRidge. I have 18 kindergarten and first graders. Would you put me on your list and I can share a book each month with them and tell them about your project. Reading is really an area we need help in at my site, Patrick Henry Elementary. I even pay for the book. God bless you for what you do. I’ll always be a fan. Gladys Carter; 100 JP Carter Lane; Acton, VA. 24054
She has never claimed to be God, but she is grateful to Him. She is so thankful for the blessings that life with Jesus Christ has given her that she is willing to help others in need. She has a sweet heart and is glad to share. She has no bitterness over her childhood either and it made her who she is today. Praise God, she is not ashamed to give Him the credit.
I remember years ago hearing Barbara Walters comment Dolly Parton was the kindest, most down to earth celebrity she had ever interviewed. Wasn’t Walters spot on? From an Early Childhood Elementary Education Literacy Interventionist, THANK YOU, DOLLY!
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Dolly is great and I”m glad local townspeople have jobs, but Dollywood is a glittery, garish hellhole and the surrounding towns are the same. Too bad that the region, like the star, can’t just be admired for what they are and not how painted up they can get.
Dolly, i have always admired you for giving God the credit for your success. God has blessed you knowing how giving you will always be. God works thru people he knows he can count on and one thing God knows is that he can count on you. May God always Bless you and all the people you help.
A fan, Jane
We all make mistakes in this life. After all we are only human and certainly not perfect. Ms. Rawe deserves credit for reacting in time of her judgement of Dolly Parton and was BIG enough to admit it. Most people NEVER admit making mistakes. Thank you Ms. Rawe for those words of inspiration to us all. God Bless.
Ms Amy Rawe, your apology to Ms. Dolly caught my eye and was curious on what you would be saying and I will say you caught me by surprise!! I admire your courage to apologize in public to Ms. Dolly. There are many more Heroes, angels or whatever you would like to call them because they do the same simple acts of kindness to others everyday!! I’ll admit we could use a whole bunch more!! But what gets me is most of these heroes go out and do the things they do because they care about their fellow man/woman and not for any publicity or for being recognized, they do it because there’s a special part of them that gives them the courage, ambition, love and the guts to go out and do what they do every day. Every town who has volunteers in there do it because they love to do it!! It’s a special gift that God had given them and to all that are on the receiving line of their kindness should thank them and then think about how to “Pay it forward” It’s amazing what a crew of few people can do when they put their minds to it!! I think that this year just maybe we all should look back on things and just think of all the different people whether you know them or not that stopped what they were doing or giving up an afternoon of something they were really looking forward to do but stopped and drop what they were doing to help you or someone else that needs it. I’m one of those people and I went and did it because it was the right thing to do!! Grant it that it takes a person of a different character to be a volunteer firefighter, ambulance corps member, anyone else in the medical field or a police officer. Yes some of them get paid and usually nowhere enough for what they do but God gave them something special, a gift you could say to love to do those special things so the rest of us can go about our day as usual.
Friends: If you are fortunate enough to have a few good friends, I mean real good friends who are there to help before you even say anything!! It’s funny while growing up in a small town we all did something for the town….a favor here or there, a help moving someone in or out and when I was in my 20’s doing a whole bunch of things young people shouldn’t be doing on a regular basis but I thought I had a bunch of friends, good ones well I did, I was a member of the local fire dept. which was all volunteer to which I was quite active in at that time. I felt good knowing I had the brotherhood of firefighters to watch my 6. Well after a few years living in my home town and then traveling around to find the place that I belonged I began to realize the true meaning of being a friend. A friend doesn’t just hang out with you when you have a pocket full of money, he’s there when your pockets are empty, when the going gets tough or something you need is an inconvenience to them (I understand there are some legit reasons why) so they’re not there. There’s a time when you lose someone near and dear to you usually everyone of your friends are there at the time but the real friends gives a call or stops by to see how you’re doing after a few months and spends some time with them to help them put aside their sorrows and grieving. I could go on and on but I think you get the picture though. I am a true believer in “Paying it forward”
You know what scares me the most is after witnessing the most bizarre election and so far post election and I see all of this hate being spewed out all over…….come on people I know we are better than that!! If we want to enjoy our latter years and our children & grandchildren as well as generations to come we need to get back to basics….We’re so busy getting only what we want or what we want to do and anyone who differs about it you go batshit crazy!! Money is more important than people, preserving our great planet or a bunch of other crap we’ve been doing. I know I haven’t been perfect in fact far from it at times but people we need to realize if we don’t do some serious thinking with the brains the good Lord gave us we won’t be anywhere, we’ll be gone, extinct if you will!! So come on let us all take some time with ourselves, family or whatever spot makes you feel comfortable at and make a plan that can make this wonderful world we live in keep on living, keep all of us living and loving one and another, it’s not that hard all it takes is the first step, after that it’s a piece of cake!!
So please people do me a huge favor…..over the holidays think about what I have just said and talk about it amongst each other and see if you can come up with a positive plan on what to do for this upcoming year 2017, I’m not trying to be political in this message at all, this is for our great planet and all of the people survive. Thank you for taking the time to read some of this at least…..just kidding!! For all of you that are out there I wish everyone no matter what holiday or religion you’re celebrating to have a great time of it and really try to make a change, THANK YOU!! “PLEASE PAY IT FORWARD!!”
Bob Murray, a regular Joe whose really concerned!!
You should apologize to the whole south as you’ve dismissed them as well.
Well, Said, I am glad to see that someone stepped up and admitted openly what so many people have also assumed. I am in awe of her heart and generosity. God Bless her and all the people suffering from the fires my heart goes out to each and everyone of them. A special thank you to Mrs, Dolly for the books my children and grandchildren have received through out the years. I was always so thankful because I couldn’t afford to buy them. My children loved them. and my son I adopted last year loves them now. He too loves to check the mail and wait very IMPATIENTLY for his book from Mrs, Dolly.
My Granddaughter received the books and she looked forward to getting them. One day I heard her say Miss Dolly Parton sends me book because she likes me. I took her to Dollywood on opening day one year and it was misting rain. The people told us Dolly would be there but she didn’t disapoint her fans.My granddaughter stood with tearing running down her face because a carrage came by with Dolly sitting in it. We could almost touch her and Cheyenne and my son both cried because they saw there hero. God Bless You Dolly,
The South’s not so bad. A lot of the first people to lend hand in time of need.
“a hand”
Hey. Southern hospitality isn’t just something we say down here, sista. 😉
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I love Dolly she beautiful and a great singer I have see her in Columbus a few time love her movies she did thank you Dolly for all you done for peoples ..
Angie, I think you missed the point. Any child who lives in the area gets the books. This author wasn’t taking away from any other child. All the children under 5 get the books no matter their income.
Dolly needs to apologies to us for Rhinestone…
My mom, who grew up just down the road from Dolly in Maryville, TN has always referred to her as “Little Miss Dolly” since that’s what she was known as when she first started her career on the radio and television.
We’re not kin (well…maybe. Ancestry.com isn’t entirely sure on that LOL) but you won’t find a more sincere, honest country artist who truly cares about her people than Dolly Parton. She may look like a hooker, but she’s got the soul of an angel.
God bless you, Miss Dolly.
I have ALWAYS loved her. My Aunt met her once at a Pizza parlor (my Aunt lives in Nashville). So, she just went up to say she was a fan. Dolly told her to sit down with her. Then proceeded to hug her, sign an autograph and talk to her for a few minutes. THEN, she thanked her for her support and for being a fan. My Aunt left crying and laughing and I have LOVED her ever since! This is a true story from my Aunt Mollie. Dolly Parton is an Angel! 😇
I asked my daughter recently to research Ariana Grande to see if she could list how this performer makes the world a better place. She admires SuperWoman and other You-Tube celebrities-but what else is going on with them after the lights dim? My goal is to see just how many Dolly Pardons and Magic Johnsons are out there. We love these brilliant entertainers but how exactly do they give back; given all of their monetary blessings? Rihanna gives back quite a bit, as do Jay Z and Beyonce. Shout out to all of the wealthy who make a difference in the lives of those who look up to them.
I had to read this because I absolutely adore Dolly. These findings have only further adhered her to my heart.
Oh yes, Dolly’s boobs or hair are not the biggest part of her. It’s her HEART. Did you hear that she is giving $1000 per month to every family who lost their home in the Tennessee fires? 🙂
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a wonderful program that reaches children all over the US, And even up in Canada. keep up the good work
I find your letter wonderful and positive. I find it sad that so many people could not just accept that you had a heartfelt apology and that you have the right to have positive words and feelings about Dolly without finding it necessary to put her down and you down for it. I did not hear you saying Dolly was better than anyone else and I have never heard her do that either. I simply do not see why people think it one has to be put down to build up others. Dolly can be generous and awesome without that taking away from someone’s father or uncle or mother or sister being generous and awesome too. IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A COMPETITION!! Your letter is great. I hope the negative souls will eventually find happiness that allows them to accept others accomplishments and positives without having to discredit or put them down to feel good about themselves.
I stopped reading after you called yourself a ‘writer and editor’ having just used the word ‘favorites’ [sic]. One cannot have more than one favorite.