Dolly Parton has been a beacon of hope with a big 'ole pile of hair singing with her heart, sharing her success with those in need, and representing generations of hard working women. It's high time to celebrate her accomplishments. She Come By It Natural is a beautifully researched book that started as an article for No Depression magazine right around the time the women's movement shifted: at the dawn of the Trump Presidency and worldwide protest, the Women's March of 2017 and #metoo. Author Sarah Smarsh writes with an approachable academic bent that sheds light on Dolly as a change agent.
Smarsh and the women in her family have been fans of Dolly Parton for decades and the highlight of this book is when she attends a concert with her own grandmother. Grandma Betty is what I call "a woman warrior" and also a standout character in Smarsh's Heartland: A Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth. It's a testament to their enduring relationship that they experience this together and a moment of triumph for the reader.
Also recently published is Dolly Parton: Songteller, My Life in Lyrics, a spectacular coffee table book that shares the meaning and history behind 175 of Dolly's songs and over 60 years of her songwriting. It's an intimate look at what it's like to be a woman working in the music industry and highlights Dolly's favorites. One of the most remarkable stories for me was learning that Dolly turned Elvis down when he wanted rights to one of her songs. She stuck to her guns, stood up for herself, and the benefit to her in the long run was evident. You'll have to read the book to find out what song it was.
Both books are also available as eBooks and downloadable audio from Wisconsin's Digital Library.