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For feminists, the deaths of Dolly Parton and Gloria Steinem bring a double dose of grief

From PBS NewsHour · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Outcome reported
  • Gloria Steinem and Dolly Parton represented different approaches to women’s empowerment, one through explicit political activism and the other through music, business and public example.
  • Their deaths eight days apart prompted grief across generations and renewed discussion of their shared influence on women’s choices and opportunities.
  • Steinem praised Parton as a gifted performer and businesswoman who used her success to support working women, poor communities and people in her native Tennessee.

One woman shaped and delivered the language of feminism. The other rejected the label, yet showed what feminism could look like with a rhinestone-dusted microphone and no apology. Gloria Steinem and Dolly Parton embodied two towering versions of the same idea: women should know themselves well enough to make their own choices, both in intimate matters and in society.

Their deaths eight days apart brought a double dose of grief across generations and around the world. Many women, along with some men, asked who would take their places at the forefront of women’s rights.

Dolly taught us to dream big. Gloria taught us to speak up. Both reminded us that a woman could walk into a world that told her who she was supposed to be and simply decide to become something else.

· DeMond B NasonA New York singer reflected on the different ways Parton and Steinem influenced women.

Steinem made feminism overtly political. She went undercover as a Playboy bunny for an exposé, founded Ms. Magazine and spent the rest of her life urging women to support one another. Parton presented herself as a larger-than-life daughter of the American South. She told stories through music, welcomed everyone and refused to play politics or describe herself as a feminist.

If feminism means each of us finding your unique power, and helping other women do the same, Dolly Parton certainly has done both.

· Gloria SteinemSteinem praised Parton in 1987, when Ms. Magazine named the singer one of its Women of the Year.

“Dolly taught us to dream big. Gloria taught us to speak up,” New York singer DeMond B Nason wrote. “Both reminded us that a woman could walk into a world that told her who she was supposed to be and simply decide to become something else.”

Steinem argued more than three decades ago that the two belonged under the same feminist flag. In 1987, when Ms. Magazine named Parton one of its Women of the Year, Steinem wrote, “If feminism means each of us finding your unique power, and helping other women do the same, Dolly Parton certainly has done both.”

I don't do politics. I have too many fans on both sides of the fence.

· Dolly PartonParton explained in a 2019 podcast why she avoided political labels and public political statements.

Parton did not publicly return that embrace, and said the distance was deliberate. “I don't do politics. I have too many fans on both sides of the fence,” she said in 2019 on Radiolab’s podcast “Dolly Parton's America.” “Of course, I have my opinion about everything, but I learned years ago to keep your mouth shut about things.” Asked directly whether she considered herself a feminist, Parton replied, “No, I do not.”

Of course, I have my opinion about everything, but I learned years ago to keep your mouth shut about things.

· Dolly PartonParton continued explaining her decision not to discuss politics publicly.
About this summary

Originally published by PBS NewsHour in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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