A Toast for Dolly
Published August 25, 2026
Growing up, I knew about Dolly Parton and enjoyed a couple of her songs, but my full appreciation for her did not truly begin until 2016.
My mom, sister, and I were on a road trip across America when we decided to treat ourselves to a day at Dollywood. We cherished all the little touches Dolly had incorporated throughout the park, which existed in everything from the landscaping to the programming. My favorite part was the museum, where we had the opportunity to learn more about Dolly’s life and the remarkable inspiration she truly was. During that trip, we also learned the heart behind her creation of the park: to help her hometown remain sustainable and to give back to the people she so cherished.
Fast-forward to the pandemic, when my Oma, who loved Dolly, passed away. My family and I found ourselves listening to Dolly Parton more and more. Her warm, loving melodies brought us great comfort and, in a way, made us feel connected to our Oma, who had passed her love of Dolly on to us in the first place. I think that was one of Dolly’s true specialties: comforting and connecting people through love, joyous music, and iconic movies that made us laugh, cry, and smile every time.
I cannot help but think about the everlasting love Dolly so generously poured out into the world. Whether through her music or programs like her Imagination Library, Dolly found intentional ways to remind people that they mattered.
Dolly’s whole brand was built on rhinestone-covered crazy ideas. On paper, she would have been nuts to pursue any of them, but she did—and succeeded every time. Dolly was a dreamer, and she taught us all to pursue our dreams.
My mom has a shirt that says, “Dolly for President,” and I sure would have loved to see that. As people have said online, conservatives and liberals—or cowboys and drag queens, if you will—have for generations put their differences aside to celebrate Dolly’s music together. Dolly transcended politics and united us, reminding us all that love does not have to be so complicated.
She loved regardless of religion, gender, sexuality, or any other label or stereotype we put on ourselves. She saw people for who they were and invited them to shine.
Dolly taught women like myself how to establish environments of respect and how to graciously—but not without a little Southern spitfire—stand up for ourselves against the Jolenes, sexist bosses, or any hateful people who live in this world.
She invited everyone to embrace their own coat of many colors, reflecting their lived experiences and helping define who they are.
She also shared her love for God and His message as it was always intended: with an abundance of love, without force.