After Dolly Parton's death at age 80, her stance on feminism is being revisited. Although she never embraced the term, her songs and life demonstrate her independence. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
On the January 1987 cover of Ms. magazine, co-founded by feminism pioneer Gloria Steinem, were its 12 Women of the Year, including Dolly Parton. Among them were a U.S. senator, a renowned novelist, a former nun who helped Central American refugees. But smiling brightest of all was Dolly Parton.
Parton never embraced the feminist label and avoided political labels. However, her fans saw her fierce independence through her life choices, accomplishments, social alliances, and especially her lyrics.
Writer Lynn Melnick, in her book "I've Had to Think Up a Way to Survive: On Trauma, Persistence, and Dolly Parton," explored how Parton's songs impacted her own life and recovery from trauma. She searched for moments when Parton called herself a feminist but found none. "She didn't tell us she was a feminist, she showed us - in her actions and her words and in her songs," says Melnick.
At the Newport Folk Festival in 2019, Parton performed "Just Because I'm a Woman," drawing delighted cheers from women. She sang about double standards: "My mistakes are no worse than yours, just because I'm a woman." She explained to the crowd that the song was about a double standard.
Parton's songs celebrated women's independence and equality. She followed these principles in her own life. Her fans are proud of her because, although she didn't call herself a feminist, her legacy is full of feminist ideas.