From sequins to service: Dolly Parton’s influence lives on

Illustration by Zoe Wren Arntsen, Illustrator

Dolly Parton passed away on Aug. 25, leaving behind a legacy of music, film and charity. 

Since her passing, fans and students have paid tribute to the icon in various ways. Some businesses sold special merchandise, while some students reflected on how the singer influenced their own lives. 

Olivia Rafferty, a freshman liberal studies and psychology double major, was inspired by Parton’s presence in the male-dominated music industry.  

“She's inspired me to keep going even though sometimes it'll get hard,” said Rafferty. “I'm sure being a woman in the industry was very tough on her. But she still kept going, she still pushed through, even to being 80 years old.” 

Others have found inspiration in the way Parton presented herself. While Parton once described her style as an “eyesore,” her wigs, long acrylic nails and sparkly blouses have become iconic symbols of the singer. 

Junior creative writing major Isabel Hau looks up to Parton’s unwavering individuality. 

“One thing that I've always loved about her so much is that she is so glamorous and hyper feminine. She has so many sequins and glitter and all that stuff, but she is still so incredibly strong, smart and kind,” said Hau. 

Despite her glamorous presentation, Parton was born in a one-room cabin in Tennessee. She made her first guitar using two bass strings and a mandolin when she was seven years old. Her song, “Coat of Many Colors,” describes her upbringing as the fourth of 12 children in the rural South. 

To fellow southern creative Hau, Parton’s upbringing represented the capabilities of anyone, regardless of location or opportunity. 

“Back home in Texas, in San Antonio, I have a playwriting festival company called ‘Wildflower Playwriting,’” said Hau. “I named it Wildflower after her song because she's from the south and she grew up very rural. I think that's very inspirational for anybody who wants to become an artist who's from the South, to see somebody who is so creative, but grew up in a situation where the arts weren't always present for her.” 

Parton has sold over 100 million records and earned 10 Grammy Awards. She’s written an estimated 3,000 songs, 25 of which have been Billboard No. 1 country hits. 

Fans like Rafferty point to Parton’s flexibility as a reason her music is so enduring. 

“I like ‘I Will Always Love You.’ I think that song is just so moving. It's a beautiful song and I love how she could go from more upbeat ‘9 to 5’ and then go to ‘I Will Always Love You,’” said Rafferty. 

Outside of her successful music career, Parton was also a notable philanthropist. In 1988, she founded the Dollywood Foundation in her home county, hoping to lower the high school dropout rates. Eventually, this foundation implemented Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The service provides books to children under the age of five, having provided over 300 million books worldwide. 

Parton’s death was felt across her fans, including Jasmine Martinez, the founder of Local Gem Collective, located on Chapman Avenue. The shop usually hosts artisanal gifts and products from 70+ local female-owned businesses, but on Sept. 19, the space will be transformed to honor Parton. 

Vendors will offer flash tattoos, stickers and charm bracelets all themed after the country singer.

“We have a girl that's volunteered to come perform and sing some of her songs. We have a charm bar coming that’s going to be all Dolly merchandise,” said Martinez.

Despite her initial success coming from her music career, Hau points to Parton’s philosophy as her lasting legacy. 

“I think it's interesting because you would expect somebody like her for her legacy to be the music, and because she made so many songs and albums, they’re so enduring and influential. But I think ultimately her legacy is going to be her kindness, and I think it's the work she did with the Imagination Library and her constantly advocating for LGBTQ rights,” said Hau. 

For students like Rafferty and Hau, Parton’s influence reaches far beyond her music. Her determination, individuality and commitment to helping others have given a new generation of artists and fans reasons to carry her legacy forward. 

With Local Gem Collective’s upcoming Dollywood Day, the Parton mural in Costa Mesa and California making Sept. 25 officially Dolly Parton Day, Orange and California as a whole will continue to keep the singer’s memory alive.