The recent deaths of feminist icon Gloria Steinem and cultural superstar Dolly Parton, occurring just days apart, have prompted widespread reflection on the diverse expressions and evolving nature of feminism. Steinem, a vocal activist and founder of Ms. Magazine, and Parton, a celebrated musician and actress who publicly disavowed the label of feminist, together represented distinct yet, for some, complementary approaches to women's empowerment.
Steinem, known for her direct political engagement, including an undercover exposé of Playboy clubs and decades of advocacy for women's rights, embodied a more traditional, overtly political form of feminism. Parton, conversely, cultivated an image as a larger-than-life entertainer from the American South, emphasizing personal choice and universal inclusion through her music while consistently refusing to align herself with political movements or identify as a feminist.
Despite Parton's public stance, Steinem and others saw her as embodying feminist principles. In a 1987 Ms. Magazine essay, Steinem named Parton one of its "Women of the Year," writing that "if feminism means each of us finding your unique power, and helping other women do the same, Dolly Parton certainly has done both." This sentiment was echoed by many who viewed both women as champions of female agency and self-determination.
Ms. Magazine, in the wake of Parton's death on August 25 and Steinem's on September 2, re-published Steinem's essay. An editor's note highlighted Parton's transformation of femininity into a source of humor and power, and her use of success to support working women and her native Tennessee.
Parton often explained her reluctance to embrace the feminist label by expressing a dislike for "extreme things" and a fear of alienating fans across the political spectrum. In a 2019 interview on Radiolab's "Dolly Parton's America," she stated, "I don’t do politics. I have too many fans on both sides of the fence." She clarified that while she held personal opinions, she learned to keep them private to avoid controversy. Parton expressed a view that the term "feminist" could be misconstrued as misandrist, stating, "I don’t believe in crucifying a whole group just because a few people have made mistakes."
Nonetheless, Parton's lyrics frequently addressed women's struggles, including teenage pregnancy, abortion, and adoption in "Down from Dover," and advocacy for equal pay in "9 to 5." Her song "Just Because I'm a Woman" directly challenged gendered expectations. She also humorously asserted her agency in a male-dominated industry, stating at a 2019 awards show, "I have never met a man that I didn’t like, and I’ve never met a man whose ass I couldn’t kick if he didn’t treat me with the right respect."
Parton maintained a neutral stance on political candidates, famously calling both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton "nuts" during the 2016 presidential campaign. At the 2017 Emmys, she demurred when co-stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin made politically charged remarks, stating, "They’re Lily and they’re Jane and I’m Dolly. So they did their thing, I did mine."
The article notes that the landscape of feminism has faced internal divisions, exacerbated by public policy debates on issues like abortion, the rise of Donald Trump, and identity politics. Steinem's contemporary feminism is often seen as aligned with the Democratic Party, a contrast to the current political climate in the United States. The overturning of Roe v. Wade, the unratified Equal Rights Amendment, and the lack of a female U.S. president are cited as ongoing challenges for the feminist movement Steinem championed.
The public's response to the deaths of Steinem and Parton also highlighted political divides. Parton's passing elicited immediate expressions of grief from a wide range of figures, including former President Donald Trump, who ordered flags flown at half-staff in her honor. In contrast, the recognition for Steinem was largely confined to liberal and centrist circles, with less public acknowledgment from conservatives, even those who respected her historical influence.
Figures on the left, including Hillary Clinton, praised Steinem's activism and optimism. Clinton posted that "The lived experience became much more real and applicable to our entire society when Gloria began to point it out." Steinem herself often spoke of empowering others, comparing her efforts to lighting torches for others to carry.
Social media demonstrated that supporters of both women intended to continue their legacies. Liz Webster, a hair and makeup artist, described Steinem and Parton as two women who shaped her understanding of what a woman could be, emphasizing the ongoing need to protect and expand freedoms for future generations.