August 26, 2026On August 25, buildings across the country were lit up in pink at 9:25, Dolly Parton was a musical prodigy encouraged by her mother, She began singing on local radio and tv shows before she was 10, and at the Grand Ole Opry when she was 13, Musicians recognized her talent as a songwriter, and she wrote songs made famous by a long list of singers, She used her flamboyant style to “fill her space” in an industry dominated by men, She embraced and celebrated her upbringing, which valued love over possessions, She launched her film career in 9 to 5, with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, She was a lifelong member of the labor union that represents musicians and singers, She would bring awareness and empathy to the AIDS crisis, Dollywood brought jobs to the place where she grew up, The Dollywood Foundation supports local education, The Imagination Library puts books into the hands of children across the country, She celebrates reading, books, education, urging kids to dream big and learn what they can and to care for those who care for them.Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribeYou can also find me:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson 

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