This week has kicked off on a tough note with the loss of a true icon, singer, songwriter, and philanthropist Dolly Parton, who passed away yesterday, August 25, at 80. Even though country music isn’t really my thing, I believe Parton’s impact goes way beyond that genre and music as a whole.

I was so touched by the announcement of her death by her own nephew, Bryan Seaver, posted on her social channel:

View this post on Instagram

Dolly has lived in the light, and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents, and countless others who have watched her and longed for her to meet them in the heavens.

Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean was born on January 19, 1946, in Sevier County, Tennessee. She had a modest start as the fourth of 12 kids, with her dad working as a farmer. But her talent for music shone through early on; she wrote her first song at just six years old. By the time she turned 10, she was performing on TV regularly and recorded her first song at 11.

She was truly larger than life in countless ways… her voluptuous figure, vivacious personality, big hair, and radiant smile brighten up any space, but what’s even bigger than her artistic talent was her heart. A dedicated philanthropist, she has raised tens of millions for various charities—from supporting children’s education through her Dollywood Foundation to backing COVID vaccine research during the pandemic.

While I was driving today, I tuned into MPR and caught the president of the Dollywood Foundation discussing Parton’s Imagination Library, which helps kids learn to read by providing them with free books. I knew she had a big heart, but I didn’t realize just how generous she was. Billboard magazine shared a timeline of her charitable acts, and even this Aussie site highlighted how she donated the majority of her $600 million fortune to charity.

Even though I’ve never attended one of her concerts or met her face-to-face, there’s a contagious joy about her that shines through in videos and pictures. Her friend Cher mentioned in this EW article that Parton has an undeniable talent for connecting with people, effortlessly making anyone in the room or arena feel acknowledged with just a glance or a touch. He even blessed those whom she never met; she apparently sent a letter to Eminem who meant a lot to him.

I’m inspired by her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ and how she stands firm in her beliefs. Throughout her long career, she has openly credited her strong belief in God as her foundation and the reason she stays grounded in the entertainment industry. I recently learned that she read the same daily devotional that I do, by Sarah Young, which I got as a gift from a dear friend.

Dolly’s Iconic Anthem as a Cultural Movement

Since this is a film blog, I want to shine a light on her film legacy. Her most iconic role is her debut as Doralee Rhodes in the beloved workplace comedy 9 to 5 (1980). I actually watched that movie pretty late—just three years ago, right before the TCFF screening of the documentary Still Working 9 to 5 (check out my review). If you enjoyed the 1980 film, you should definitely watch the documentary too, as it features interviews with Ellen Cassedy and Karen Nussbaum, the real-life activists from the 9to5 Movement that inspired the movie.

---

Rhodes is a secretary who joins forces with her coworkers, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, to get back at their sexist boss. For me, Parton’s performance was the standout of the film, and she also penned the unforgettable title song, which earned her nominations for both an Oscar and a Grammy. It’s such a catchy tune that I often find myself humming it from time to time. But it’s not just a fun song that topped the charts in 1981; it quickly became a true anthem for the working class.

The song struck a chord well beyond the movie theater because it captured the common frustrations, daily struggles, and collective strength of everyday workers. Since Dolly’s song was deeply rooted in the real experiences of these activists, it carried a significant socio-political message hidden behind a cheerful melody.

Fun Fact: Dolly famously wrote the song right on the movie set, tapping her long acrylic nails together to mimic the sound of a typewriter. She brought that exact sound into the studio, and her nails are even credited as a percussion instrument on the final track.

Out of the three ladies, Doralee bears most of the brunt of her boss Frank’s (Dabney Coleman) sexual harassment shenanigans. But the ladies are able to get back at him later in the movie, and Parton got one of the best lines when she confronts Frank: “… I’m going to change you from a rooster to a hen in one shot.”

---

Dolly Parton’s roles in films and her incredible generosity are two sides of the same coin. In 9 to 5, she didn’t just play a character fighting for justice; she gave a voice to the voiceless and showed how powerful empathy can be. The same determination that helped her succeed in Hollywood also drove her to build an extensive philanthropic legacy, proving that her success was always meant to uplift others. Even though her extraordinary life has come to a close, her impact on film and her endless kindness will continue to inspire us, to keep nurturing our own ambitions and to strive to make the world a little better than we found it.

Rest in peace, Dolly Parton… May you rest in peace on a beautiful bed of plush cotton. 😇🙏🧡🕊️