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 
Dolly looks a lot like Jesus!
I have felt the same way about Dolly Thank you for penning this.
God Bless you Amy for embracing “My People” now “Our People”
Well put!
The fact this apology was sent is nice but the fact you had a preconceived prototype of Us , that’s even fine. We in Tennessee know who we are, Ms. Dolly is real, honest loving and country hill smart. We have always known who she is. We are all hoping to be just like her. The hills of Tennessee are the home of many wonderful people.
Well Said!
Many years ago, we visited Dollywood while traveling to Memphis. I’m not a fan of theme parks, but this one is different and I enjoyed it completely. In addition to being an amusement park it is a Smokey Mountain cultural and education center. For me, that was the real attraction.
I grew up watching Dolly prosper and her talent grow. Cas Walker hosted an early morning, local television program and I saw Dolly sing as a young child. She has always been amazing.
In 1968, while admiring my new baby in a hospital nursery window, I found myself shoulder to shoulder with her as she viewed a new family member. She was probably under 25, tiny and strikingly beautiful without big hair or makeup.
One of my favorite quotes is attributed to Dolly. I don’t know that she actually said it but it certainly sounds like her sense of humor. When asked if she was offended by ‘dumb blonde’ jokes, she is credited with this gem, ‘Absolutely not… because I know I’m not dumb and I know I’m not blonde.’ Dolly is a real life hero.
Isn’t it amazing how some people see negativity in any/everything and then they wonder why there are so many unhappy people in this world… But that’s ok cause I’ve always seen the world through rose colored glasses…so I’ve been told… I’ve lived in East Tennessee on the Cumberland Plateau pretty much my whole life..actually grew up at the State Park there, Dolly is just a household name here, it’s hard to imagine anyone not loving her and I don’t say that in judgement of any comments, it just goes to show you how wrong we can be if we don’t look at the whole book 📚 and not just the cover…. everyone is different and unique in their own way and that’s how God made us.. it’s just so amazingly awesome how she has used her God given talent to help literally millions of people all over the world 🌎 by her amazing and giving nature. Helping others is a true gift 🎁 but I’ve ALWAYS thought it should start at home which is exactly what Dolly has done and she doesn’t do it in a look at me and what I’ve done way, she just does it with a kind, loving, and generous heart ❤️… I watched Coat of Many Colors with 4 of. Y grandchildren last year … over n over for days because we all loved it and the girls were so obsessed with it… they’ve been to Dollywood for the last few years but being young, they didn’t know just who Dolly was, they now do. My Libby who is now 11 did her report at school about a famous person on Dolly and she was still amazed at so many of the facts she uncovered.. I’m just so very thankful that there are people like Dolly in this world and I’m sure there are others, at least I hope so. I’ve always thought what a difference it would make in this world if EVERYONE did at least one random act of kindness everyday…not only would they be blessed but others around them.. I worked at a hospital and was secretary to the Director of Engineering and Environmental Services… I’ve always been a people person and am smiling most of the time. Every morning I would challenge the employees to smile at at least 3 people that day and to pass it on and by the end of the day maybe everyone would be smiling.. a loving, kind, generous heart with a Dolly attitude… northerners can call me whatever they want because I know who I am and I know that when you judge people in that way, you are the one truly missing out… sorry that I got off the subject a little but Dolly is just beyond beautiful and wonderful.. Dolly is what the heart beat of Tennessee is like .. a genuine kind loving soul who not only changes people’s lives here, but entertains millions and millions of people every year .. so to the original blogger, I admire your desire to write a heartfelt apology and I know that if Dolly should see it she would be pleased…. Now, everyone, Go out there and make a difference in the world today.. one random act of kindness can and will change lives, Try it.. have a blessed day!
I admit that I shared many of Miss Amy’s preconceived notions about Dolly Parton before I moved to Sevier County to work at the newspaper there. In fact, news reporters and editors can be a cynical lot and most learn early on that if something seems too good to be true, it is. I found Dolly Parton to be one of the most genuine, what-you-see-is-what-you-get folks I’ve encountered to this day, and I admire Amy Rawe for owning her mistake and writing about it. We all judge, Miss Terri. Not all of us are courageous enough to own that and ask to be forgiven for it.
Terri and Matt- What Would Dolly Do? Is it Kind, is it honest, is it necessary?
Who are you to judge the character of anybody and now you want accolades and warm fuzzy responses……Pfft. Get over yourself.
Absolutely. What better time to release this “heartfelt” letter than when Dolly is already garnering some rare media attention for her work. This woman was just looking for a set of coattails to jump on to generate some easy traffic for her page.
REALLY!!! WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU???????????
Thank you Dolly, only wish there were more like you
Dolly does things like this not to gain any credit or more fame. She does it because it is the right thing to do!!!
She is an Angel.
Not me …..as a little girl she fascinated me …loved her singing loved her pretty clothes her hair makeup I loved her hair thought she was gorgeous ……now I love her heart the most …..love u Dolly
What a letter. Yes Dolly is exceptional. I have followed her since she was on Cas Walkers show we are close in age and after her last movie I learned why she is so flashy. Love you Dolly and proud we are from Tennessee.
Beautifully written! Warm and professional, with just enough humility to make it heartfelt, just like Dolly. She is one of my heroes, too. I’m a Southerner, and at first I didn’t “get her” either, as I’m more of a natural girl. However, through the years I’ve learned to not “judge a book by it’s cover”. She’s definitely the real deal!
I have loved Dolly for all time. I guess “I got you” right away. I have seen her many times on her trek around small towns. She would perform in anywhere, in a gym, a school, just name it way back when. I’m real southern and I have a drawl like hers. She just lights up your life. Thanks for being you, Dolly. Such a blessing to so many. Beth Eades.
A book hound who judges a book by its cover. How ironic. Glad you came around but pathetic you couldn’t see who Dolly was the whole time.
Dolly is a true gem of a person.
Reblogged this on A Light Beyond the Hedge: Poetry and somewhat social commentary and commented:
I’ve always loved Dolly. She is an example of all that is good in humanity.
Anyone who didn’t know how great Dolly has ALWAYS been has been living under a rock.
Always loved Dolly. She has a beautiful inside to match the outside. I have loved all her songs that tell her life story. She and her husband have been married for years and years. She has never been linked to any scandal. Dolly has a heart as big as Texas.
The last socially acceptable bigotry out there is that which is directed at Southerners by people in other sections of our nation. I’ve experienced it myself, at the hands of otherwise seemingly pleasant people. I’ve noticed this particularly with older Midwestern women. Go figure.
LOL! You should have been a fly on the wall when I moved to Connecticut from Georgia. When I met with my second grade daughter’s new teacher befor school began, she explains to me (speaking slowly and using small words) how difficult it would be for my southern children to catch up academically. Inwardly I was rolling my eyes and fuming, but I politely let her speak without interruption. I knew better.
Later she was amazed that my daughter was the smartest kid in her class, and that my fourth grade son was invited into the honors math program.
And yes, we do have indoor plumbing and shoes!
That’s when you say “Bless your heart” LOL If you’re Southern you know what that can mean. I have said it many times to Northern people who just don’t understand. LOL
Lol. I am from Mississippi and moved to Utah. I love when people slow down their speech for me. Because it makes them look insane. The first time my daughter met her academic advisor she told her to pick an easier career and not expect so much of herself- Welcome to Utah. Two years later she his still at the top of her class- Sooooo. Love Dolly always have always will.
“Whoever among you is guiltless may be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Simply,Dolly you are an angel. God has put you where you are today and now we know why. A heart full of love and passion. God bless and be with you as you continue your journey God had laid out for you.💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
Dolly created Dollywood and other things in Sevier County to give people of the area jobs. She has done so much. She is also a very intelligent businesswoman. She is s dearly loved in Tennessee and really all over the county.
What an awesome tribute to a beautiful, loving and so very talented lady! She is living her childhood dream to be a Star, but probably never imagined how she would impact the world with the gifts the Lord gave her! She is truly an inspiration! We love you Dolly!
Totally agree that Dolly is an amazing and thoughtful person. She has a genuine caring spirit. She quietly makes a difference and expects nothing in return.
Last night I watched her newest Christmas movie, “Circle of Love”. In these times when many are offended so easily, Dolly told a beautiful story and repeatedly talked about love, sacrifice, and most importantly, God. I was so touched. Thank you Dolly for being proud of your heritage and of God and the ways he works in our lives!
Thank You God for Dolly…there should be more people like her. Thank you for penning this thank you letter to her. People often judge a book by its cover, and never take the time to investigate whats inside. Under all the layers of make-up, hair, and rhinestones there lies a beautiful soul. Dolly is more than just a country singer, she represents a way of life…WWDD (What Would Dolly Do). I, too, would like to thank Dolly for ALL she does and the way she has touched so many lives, many of us that she doesn’t know and hear about. God bless you Dolly…and thank you.
My daughter is in a wheelchair, she has spina-bifa, she has always loved Dolly,we were at Dollywood, and she was naming a lot of people, she was given a picture of Dolly. We were there whenDotty Rambo was there. My son paid yo bring her to see her two f as favorite people. She loves to hear Dolly sing Coat of Many Colors. She watches her movies over and over. Dolly is a great person.
That is Dolly. I have such admiration for Dolly. I first met her when she was 18 and she guested on a show I was on. I have watched her and talked to her and I can’t say enough about her generosity and genuine caring for others. Everyone should have a Dolly Parton in their lives. They would be very fortunate. Dolly lives what she believes every day of her life. Her songs and especially her actions speak to that.
I have admired Dolly since I was a child. She has never forgotten her roots, how she grew up, or where she came from. She is not afraid to share her faith in God & the impact it has on her life. Dolly has such a huge heart & is always doing things to give back. Let your daughter watch Dolly’s 2 movies…Coat of Many Colors, & Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love. It will allow her to see how Dolly grew up & became the wonderful person she is today. Last November we recorded Coat of a May Colors on the DVar & my 9 year old daughter & my 12, 8, & 6 year old nieces loved the movie so much & would come in from school every afternoon asking to watch it again. They know we look to God & don’t idolize people but all 4 of the little girls in my family admire Dolly & what she stands for & look up to her. She is the kind of role model our children need! They love to go visit Dollywood…we live near Six Flags in Atlanta & Dollywood is so much cleaner, better operated, & a much more enjoyable experience. Going to Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, & Dollywood is one of our favorite family getaways & we hope to be able to go over the Christmas break. Just goes to show we should never judge a book by its cover! What’s onnthe inside is so much more important then what’s on the outside. I think Dolly is beautiful on the inside and the outside.
Your apology says a lot more about you, than Dolly. I hope you stop judging people so superficially.
I have had nothing but heartfelt praise for Dolly from day one. I was born in West Virginia and we were not destitute, but had clean clothes made from colorful flour bags. The flour companies realized that poor people were taking the bags and making their kids clothes, so they started printing designs on them. I thought my dresses were the prettiest I had ever seen.
Our Lord has blessed us in so many ways over the years and now I’m a long way from my youth, but it taught me to appreciate everything that I have. I thank our Lord Jesus for putting Dolly on the earth for us to enjoy her voice.
This is a wonderful tribute to a great lady who has the heart of gold. I, too, never got her until I lived near Gatlinburg and saw her history at Dollywood. She’s not only talented but one of the most giving artist. She has a passion to love people. May God continue to bless her! Thank you, Dolly.
My daughter is handicapped, she has spinabifida, she has followed Dolly and Dotty since she was 11 years old. We have visited Dollywood many times She was there when Dotty Rambo was there. .Dotty dedicated a song yo her. Caroline has always loved your song, A Coat Of Many Colors. She often tells your story to people. Caroline was given 6 months to 1 year to live, she is 49 years old and had a brilliant mind. We have been to Dollywood many times. God bless you Dolly for all you have done.
I live near Winnipeg, and Dolly recently came here to do a concert. It was discovered that while she was here, she found a homeless man, and gave him a card to stay for free for two days in one of the nicest hotels in Winnipeg. She truly is amazing!
What A wonderful loving, giving heart, Dolly has. A true inspiration of selfless love.
What A wonderful loving, giving heart Dolly has. A true inspiration to many, and her love shines bright. “I will always Love YOU”.
Taking about outer make up and beauty,
Erin Brokawitz( not sure about spelling).
I have to say, when I was younger I was jelous of Dolly because my husband made all these comments and woo’s when she came on tv..yes, we all want to have a body like that..or close to it..I live in Virginia, its a little over 3 hours to Dollywood but we raised our kids by getting Dollywood season tickets, then we’ve took grandkids there and now its a great-grandkid…we love the love and atmosphere..I cry sometimes just hearing some of her songs because you can feel the love in them..If I could, Id move there and work in Dollywood, its a world Id love to be in everyday…seeing people happy, hearing that train that we’ve rode so many times and hearing the music, some months its gospel and that’s great..I must say I did get hurt when my oldest granddaughter was 3 and Dolly was giving books to kids, we couldn’t get them because we didn’t live there..I wanted what Dolly was sharring for my little ones..I had to realize she couldn’t do it for everyone, but its good what she does do.. Im a Dolly fan, Dollywood fan and a Pigeon Forge and Gatlingburg fan…it grows on you and the most descent place you can take a family…Thank You Dolly for what you’re doing for your people…
What a great tribute!
I bet you feel like a bimbo now.But we have always known Dolly and her genererosity was real.We have seen her rise from early years as we are around her age.kudos to Dolly.We support every year by going to her park and supporting her library.that in itself is a wonderful thing.
Reblogged this on Lillie-Put and commented:
What if we all did what was in our power to do?
….amazing how the sharing and caring love from one human being (Dolly) can inspire multitudes and set them on a track to accomplish unbelievable feats to help those in need. Dolly started the chain reaction. Thanks you Dolly. You are an inspiration to all of us !
I , j. Mason, have always love to hear dolly sing. She is a beautiful lady inside and out. When she wrote the song coat of many colors, it made me remember another little girl , her mama made her a corduroy coat of many colors. Mama bought a bag of corduroy scraps and cut them in squares and made me a coat , I was seven. I wish I still had that coat that was made with love. I don’t remember what happened to it , but if I had to guess my mama gave it to some other little girl when I out grew it. I am glad I grew up in a loving giving family, I am seventy six with a large family of my own. I love them dearly, and dolly we all love you and your music and movies. God bless you for being the woman you are.
the author of this post seems to be trying to make amends for being a class discriminator. So do you still think other people that aren’t
rich with teased hair and southern accents are all stupid and phony? you should be ashamed of yourself for posting this and showing your true colors.
My first time to meet Dolly was in Tilghman High School Auditorium in Paducah, Kentucky in 1970. I was proudly an “Usher Club” member. I never knew that the participation in this club membership would allow a student to meet guest to our school as we escorting concert attendants to their seats and also to be introduced to the performers on stage. Porter Wagoner and Dolly performed that night……I was awe struck with their performance. Since then, I took advantage of every opportunity to share Dolly’s story to the choral students that I have had the privilege of teaching in my 4o+ years of teaching. Thank You Dolly…..for your contribution to this World in such a generous and kind way each day of your life.
I hate that we feel it necessary to judge someone else for judging–What do you call that???
Amy Rawe, you’ve done a great service to our region and a wonderful tribute to Miss Dolly. Of course we’ve known that stuff all along–I mean, we live with her, and many of us have very similar roots. But now, I don’t hold that against you. I’m just delighted that you found your way through preconceived notions (which we all have about something) and then told us all about it. Keep spreading the word!
Read about how she treated Porter Waggoner (on whose tv show she got her start) after he treated her badly because of her fame. She is an amazing person.
When I was a kid I used to think the same thing as Amy in her story. I was and am a true country & western fan and also a real cowboy not a wanna be. I had followed her music from the time she first appeared on the Porter Wagner show. I as I watched her over the years I so grew to love this woman because I saw underneath all that make up and all of the outward appearance, there was a heart as big as Tennessee itself. I was 9 years old then and by the time I was 16 I knew a different Dolly than what I had imagined when I was smaller. I will be 61 in February and I will always be one of Dolly’s greatest fans. Not because of her talent which is awesome, but because of her heart. I love you Dolly for all that you do. thank you from my heart.
Reblogged this on The Feed By Our Pantheons Way.
Lovely letter minus the first 3 sentences. – but I’m glad I kept reading. Once I forgave her for the first tasteless remarks, I was very touched by her experience and grateful to have read it. Very beautiful.
Welcome to The South.