Dolly Parton Was the Ultimate Girl’s Girl—Here Are Some of Her Most Iconic Moments
She spent her life lifting other women up, one act of kindness at a time
Key Takeaways
- Dolly Parton was a longtime vocal ally to the LGBTQIA+ community.
- She often said she related to butterflies and made them her personal symbol.
- Landmarks worldwide, including the Empire State Building, honored her.
Dolly Parton passed away yesterday at age 80, and while most people will remember her for her musical ability, her sense of humor, her theme park Dollywood, her truck stop and even her Broadway musical, we’ll also remember her as a bright light who showed women everywhere how they could be feminine, sexy, fun and still powerful. Yes, Dolly was truly the ultimate girl’s girl, and through the course of her career, she proved that time and time again, all while wearing glittery clothes. To see some of Dolly’s best girl’s girl moments, keep scrolling!
Dolly Parton’s best girl’s girl moments
From being an ally to being an acrylic nail queen, here are Dolly’s best girl’s girl moments.
She supported women in power
One of the reasons Dolly was so beloved by everyone was because she kept most of her political opinions to herself. Even so, in a 2016 interview with The New York Times, she did comment on the idea of having a woman in office—at the time of the interview, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was running for president against Donald Trump.
“Well, I think that that would be wonderful. Hillary might make as good a president as anybody ever has. I think no matter if it’s Hillary or Donald Trump, we’re gonna be plagued with PMS either way—presidential mood swings,” Dolly said. “But I personally think a woman would do a great job. I think Hillary’s very qualified. So if she gets it, I’ll certainly be behind her.”
Dolly loved hair, makeup, clothes and high heels
Dolly was always seen in her bright blonde wig, tight clothes, long acrylic nails, high heels and a full face of makeup. And while some people might not love the look, Dolly did. She even encouraged people to find a beauty routine that makes them feel good.
“I think it’s important that people be comfortable with how they look and with their makeup,” Dolly told Real Simple. “We all know our weaknesses and our strengths. If I don’t look the way that I want to, then I’m going to feel self-conscious.”
In that same article, Dolly revealed that she has “all the expensive makeup, but I usually use things I’ve bought at a beauty supply house.”
“I wear eyelashes all the time, even in the daytime,” the late singer added. “Some of my costumes require a bra that pulls you in this way or lifts you up that way. Sometimes I don’t wear a bra—because my brave little soldiers still stand up pretty good on their own.”
She stood up for the LGBTQIA+ community
Over the years Dolly’s LGBTQIA+ fanbase grew and grew, and while some artists might have shied away from commenting on it, Dolly didn’t, In fact, she loved all of her fans.
“I think dressing up has saved my life. I always said if I hadn’t been a woman I would have been a drag queen,” Dolly told Dazed. “I love my fans, no matter who they are. I have so many gay and lesbian fans, and they accept me because I accept them. They’ve known all through the years that I’ve talked about not being accepted myself because of who I am and how I look.”
“I’ve been crucified and persecuted for the things I believe in, and (for the way I) stand up for how I was brought up and who I am,” she continued. “I just never let anybody kick me down. And I don’t think they should, either—we all have a right to be ourselves, we have a right to love who we love, we are all God’s children, he made us all in his image. I think we’re not supposed to pass judgment on that sort of thing. So my heart is open and full of love, and I would just say, ‘You just be true to you and do your thing, and be proud of yourself.’”
Dolly loved the planet
Dolly grew up in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, in a two-room home with 11 siblings. She spent a lot of her time outdoors, and even after she got famous and moved away, Dolly never stopped talking about how much that time meant to her.
“When I come here it’s a feeling like nothing else. It has grown, as all things must. But the Smokies will never lose their charm and their magic,” Dolly said, per National Geographic. “We always had our own mountain music in the Smokies. We still have that. And I think we’ll always have that.”
In that same article, Dolly also took the time to say that one of the girls we all need to look out for is Mother Nature.
“We’re just mistreating Mother Nature—that’s like being ugly to your mama,” Dolly said. “We need to take better care of the things that God gave us freely. And that we’re so freely messing up.”
She cared for all of God’s creatures
Over the course of her career, Dolly was often seen surrounded by butterflies and frequently talked about why she loved them and why they were so important to her.
“I used to get in trouble with my mom, ’cause they’d have to come find me and I’d be chasing a butterfly from one bush to another,” Dolly told W Magazine in 2021. “Butterflies don’t sting, they don’t bite, and they are so beautiful, and I just kind of related to them with my own personality. I claimed them as my little symbol.”
How the world is honoring Dolly Parton’s legacy
Following Dolly’s death, people all over the world began sharing the ways they are honoring her. The Empire State Building was lit up in pink and glitter last night at 9:25 to honor her song “9 to 5,” the guards at Buckingham Palace are playing “9 to 5” and President Trump has ordered all flags to be flown at half-staff for a week.
“Very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away. This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will,” the president wrote in a Truth Social post yesterday. “In her honor, I am lowering the American flag throughout the United States for a one week period beginning tonight at 6:00PM. Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you.”
Fans of Dolly’s have also begun sharing other ways to honor Dolly. Some have even proposed creating a “Dolly Day” on September 5 (9/5) or September 25 (9/25).
“In a world so full of division, Dolly is and always will be something that we can all agree on. And I know she would think this is silly and foolish but that there is just a glimpse at what made her so special,” one Reddit user wrote. “I started a petition to urge Congress to recognize September 25 (9/25) as a national holiday to our beloved Queen. Please sign and share and let’s see if we can make this happen.”
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