Dolly Parton, a cultural icon to many, passed away in August of 2026 at the age of 80. While Parton is primarily known for her flashy aesthetic and title as the “Queen of Country Music,” it’s important to remember that her legacy encompasses so much more.
She was an outspoken supporter of LGBTQIA+ rights, created The Imagination Library, which gives free monthly books to children in underserved areas, and donated extensively to disaster relief all over the world.
Her philanthropy is an integral part of who she was and had a large effect on many people.
“She made the world a better place in her philanthropy … in the way that her music brought people together. She was just like a really positive light in the world,” Berkeley High School junior Scout Wheat said.
Parton also became a unique symbol of self-love, as she was known to be dressed in big, blonde wigs, colorful makeup, dramatic rhinestoned outfits, and had openly undergone various plastic surgeries. Parton was clear that her appearance was curated, and her transparency showed women that they should have the freedom to make choices about their own bodies.
“She would say, ‘I don’t fit into these beauty standards normally,’ and I think that’s really impactful for a young girl watching TV (to see), ” BHS sophomore Ruby Katz said.
Dolly Parton didn’t just reject beauty standards, but also the sexist stereotypes within the music and TV industry.
“She was quite iconic because she was unafraid of her femininity,” Wheat said. She showed the world that loving traditionally feminine things didn’t diminish her own intelligence or talent. She was the first woman in country music to host and star in her own variety show, and broke gender stereotypes in songs like “9 to 5” and “Just Because I’m a Woman.” She used her music to expose sexist double standards, to subvert stereotypes, and to call attention to issues that women faced.
Parton also used her music and her platform to support the LGBTQIA+ community. She wrote the song “Travelin’ Thru” for the transgender film “Transamerica.” She also publicly opposed anti-trans legislation, and consistently emphasized love over judgement.
“She just solidified herself as one of the greats in the queer community, someone that everyone in the queer community looked up to and respected, and she’s definitely still a queer icon today,” BHS junior Ellah Altman said.
“She was one of the female voices who established country music, who could sing her story and sing other people’s stories without shame, but with honor and with pride and with dignity,” BHS ethnic studies teacher Hasmig Minassian said, speaking on Dolly Parton’s impact on music.
Country music was forever changed by Parton, who made the genre much more mainstream with her pop-forward sound and honest lyrics in songs such as “I Will Always Love You,” “Islands in the Stream,” and “Here You Come Again.” Both die-hard country fans and those who had never listened to the genre could agree that she was a singularly talented musician, evidenced by how her songs topped both country and all-genre pop charts.
Her music appealed to people across the political spectrum, largely because it allowed different types of people to all feel seen, whether that be the drag community or working class Appalachian communities similar to where Parton grew up.
“You talk to conservative people and liberals, and they all love her. Like everyone loves Dolly, and she’s just so universally loved,” Altman said. In a country that is constantly divided over politics, she was able to unite people through her music and foster mutual respect.
Parton will always be remembered for many things, including her broadly appealing music, her iconic aesthetic, her extensive philanthropy, and for always being true to herself.