Dolly Parton and Gloria Steinem legacies highlighted

The passing of legendary performer Dolly Parton and feminist trailblazer Gloria Steinem has prompted reflections on their shared impact on culture and women's rights.

While Parton often maintained an apolitical public persona, she supported various causes including literacy, medical research, disaster relief, the LGBTQ+ community, and Black Lives Matter. Her role in the 1980 film ‘9 to 5’ is noted for bringing themes of workplace struggles and strong women into mainstream pop culture.

Gloria Steinem, a founding editor of Ms. magazine and a prominent second-wave feminist, was a vocal advocate for the Equal Rights Amendment and reproductive freedom. The connection between Parton’s work and feminist ideals was previously highlighted by Steinem herself, noting how Parton brought real-life experiences and strong female representation to the music industry.