Parton donated $1 million for vaccine research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center<\/a>. Her friend, Dr. Naji Abumrad, told her that a vaccine could be near. Her contribution established the Dolly Parton Covid-19 Research Fund, which was largely responsible for the development of the Moderna vaccine.<\/p>\nParton had long since built a secure career in country music when, in 1977, she took a big leap with \u201cHere You Come Again,\u201d which became her first crossover pop hit. She became a national personality as a result, and her fame never dimmed.<\/p>\n
Three years later, Parton took to the big screen, starring with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the popular workplace comedy \u201c9 to 5.\u201d The trio played put-upon secretaries subject to the tyranny of a lecherous boss (Dabney Coleman). Parton wrote and recorded the movie\u2019s theme song \u2014 which was also well-received.<\/p>\n
Dollywood, a theme park in her home state\u2019s Pigeon Forge, was another of Parton\u2019s successful ventures. It provided a considerable boost to the local economy in an area many would have considered too remote for an entertainment destination on such a large scale.<\/p>\n
Parton\u2019s reliance on spiritual themes \u2014 as well as her tendency to go in unexpected directions \u2014 was a constant. In 2012, she starred opposite Queen Latifah in the film \u201cJoyful Noise\u201d which charted the rivalry between two members of a small-town Georgia church choir.<\/p>\n
Nine years later, Parton received a Christopher Award for her 2020 holiday special, \u201cChristmas on the Square,\u201d a modern-day retelling of Charles Dickens\u2019 1843 novella \u201cA Christmas Carol.\u201d In what would be her final role, Parton played \u2014 unsurprisingly \u2014 a rhinestone-festooned angel.<\/p>\n
Writing in January on the occasion of Parton\u2019s 80th birthday, Rita Buettner, a columnist for the Catholic Review \u2014 the Archdiocese of Baltimore\u2019s news outlet \u2014 described her reaction to the recently released re-recording of Parton\u2019s 1977 song \u201cLight of a Clear Blue Morning.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was struck by the beauty of this gift from Dolly. It\u2019s a song of hope and comfort and strength at a time when we can all use more of that. It\u2019s also a song of faith.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buettner went on to praise the way Parton \u201cclearly lives and demonstrates faith. She has faith in humanity, faith in a greater purpose, faith in God, faith in the future. I know Dolly isn\u2019t Catholic. But we are Christians, and we are believers, and we are both trying to live each day taking one more step on the way to heaven \u2014 we hope.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe doesn\u2019t always say it directly,\u201d Buettner continued. \u201cShe doesn\u2019t have to. It comes through in her music \u2014 as she uses the gifts God has given her to give the world a little more light, a little more beauty, a little more joy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDolly\u2019s songs help others feel less alone,\u201d Buettner concluded. \u201cShe brings us along on life\u2019s journey, so we know that we are not the only ones experiencing sorrow or challenge or darkness or love.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kurt Jensen is a guest reviewer for OSV News.<\/em><\/p>\n\n
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