Why Dolly Parton Meant So Much to ‘Woman’s World’ Magazine—And How She Healed One Editor’s Broken Heart

Having served as the Executive Editor of Woman’s World Magazine for almost a decade, I’ve had the profound privilege of bringing inspiring real stories of faith, hope and love to millions of women each week.

Countless times, I’ve been humbled by acts of kindness, brought to tears by miracles and moved by the way our readers overcome difficulty and heartache with endless grace. But today, I find myself writing about someone whose music, generosity and remarkable spirit have been woven into my own life for as long as I can remember.

Dolly Parton has died at 80. The world is mourning the loss of an extraordinary entertainer, songwriter, philanthropist and cultural icon. But I’m mourning someone who was so much more than a legend to me—she was a meaningful part of my life, both professionally and personally, and a woman whose songs and spirit became intertwined with some of my most cherished memories.

Dolly Parton’s music became a bond between me and my dad

Long before I was an editor, I was just a little Texas girl who absolutely adored Dolly Parton.

One of my earliest memories is going to the Circle Grill diner in East Dallas with my dad, my feisty 4-year-old self begging him for a quarter to pop into our tabletop jukebox. If I ate all my eggs, I’d get to punch in the code for “Islands in the Stream,” and Dad would sing Kenny Rogers’ half of the duet while I’d howl along with Dolly, albeit high-pitched and horrifically out of tune.

Sitting in that booth, singing with my dad became a lifelong memory, an anchor of joy.

Dolly’s songs, along with her innate warmth, wit and humor, became a binding force in my relationship with my dad. Forever a news guy—he even smelled like newspaper and coffee—he’d send me countless articles about her music, collaborations, concerts and incredible philanthropy.

He loved knowing what Dolly was doing in the world—from the millions of books she was putting into children’s hands through her Imagination Library to the many ways she stepped up to help people in need in her community.

My dad’s greatest wish was for me to meet Dolly Parton

When I became a magazine editor and began working behind the scenes on Dolly covers—I’ve done at least eight over the years—his greatest wish was for me to get to interview her in person.

But after a long, difficult illness, my precious dad passed away in January 2024. True to form, his last vacation was taking my niece to Dollywood. And he fought long enough to see me dance to Dolly’s rendition of Brandi Carlile’s “The Story” at my wedding, just a month before we lost him.

Then, in November 2024, I was given the rare opportunity to attend an in-person interview with Dolly…and finally meet her in person.

I was elated, nervous and grateful, but also heartbroken, knowing that I couldn’t immediately call my dad and celebrate the moment we’d dreamed of. So instead of sharing that joy with him, I shared it with our readers. And I will share that memory with you now.

What was Dolly really like?

Saying that Dolly Parton sparkled is an extreme understatement—and I don’t just mean her sequin-covered bell-bottoms or six-inch silver platform heels. It was her warmth, ease and quick humor that made her downright light up a room.

I was starstruck as my longtime friend, writer Deborah Evans Price, warmly introduced me to Dolly. But as soon as we sat down together, Dolly kicked off her heels and sat cross-legged in her chair. Suddenly, it felt less like I was sitting across from a legend and more like I was catching up with a girlfriend over coffee.

I listened with rapt attention as Dolly opened up about her stress tips (“I love to cozy down in a bath”), confidence secrets (“You’re good enough for God and good enough for the people who love you, just as you are”) and even her first celebrity crush (“Johnny Cash”). She was hilarious, cracking jokes to get our reactions, then belly laughing and exclaiming, “Y’all should’ve seen your faces!”

But what struck me most is that Dolly Parton was exactly who we all believed her to be: genuine, filled with grace and unapologetic about who she was.

As I hugged Dolly goodbye, I thought about how much my dad would have just loved every second of that joyful hour.

Now, I find myself thinking about that moment in a very different way.

I am so grateful that I got to meet her and that I have that cherished memory—not just of meeting one of the most beloved women in the world, but of carrying my dad’s love for her with me into that room then sharing it with our readers.

How Dolly Parton’s ‘Coat of Many Colors’ Changed Her Life

Why Dolly meant so much to Woman’s World

For decades, Dolly has been woven into the fabric of our magazine and our website. We have celebrated her music, her remarkable career, her faith, her humor, her family and, perhaps most importantly, the way she has used her extraordinary platform to lift other people up.

She was the kind of woman Woman’s World has always believed in celebrating: strong but vulnerable, successful but generous, glamorous but never afraid to laugh at herself.

She reminded our readers that you can dream big without forgetting where you came from, to be proud of exactly who you are at any age and that a life well lived is measured by the good you put into the world.

Best of all, Dolly understood the power of a story. She understood that people want to be inspired, but they also want to feel seen. For generations of our readers, Dolly gave them permission to be exactly who they were.

That’s why for so many of our readers and editors, Dolly wasn’t just a cover star. She was an inspiration. She felt like a friend.

How Dolly has impacted our editors

“I’ll never forget taking my family of five to Dollywood for vacation. Dolly is the perfect example of a celebrity who used her success to help the world. She made a huge mark on the music world, but left an even bigger impact with her Imagination Library. Her big heart truly changed people’s lives.” -Lisa Maxbauer, senior editor

She’ll always live in my heart

Today, when I hear “Islands in the Stream,” I won’t just hear a song. I’ll remember being that feisty little girl with her dad, putting that quarter in the jukebox. And I’ll think of Dolly—the woman who unknowingly helped create one of my most precious memories, then, decades later, gave me one more memory I will treasure for the rest of my life.

In the shadow of grief, joy really does shimmer and shine so much brighter.

Now, as Dolly takes her place among the angels, I can’t help but imagine my dad waiting with her, ready to sing his part. I know they’ll save me a seat at the table.

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