<p id=”par-1_49″>Dolly Parton never described herself <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/dolly-parton-feminist-icon-says-shes-not-a-feminist.html/”>as a feminist</a>. During her lifetime, she worked to <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/dolly-parton-thoughts-womens-liberation-1971-man-should-rule-household.html/”>distance herself from the label</a>. Still, many people saw her that way, including Gloria Steinem. In 1987, Steinem argued that Parton was a feminist icon long before many people may have viewed her this way.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-gloria-steinem-described-dolly-parton-as-a-feminist-nbsp”>Gloria Steinem described Dolly Parton as a feminist </h2>
<p id=”par-2_35″>In a 1987 essay, Steinem listed Parton as one of the Women of the Year. She argued that Parton, with her musical talent, shrewd business smarts, and wholehearted <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/dolly-partons-stylist-not-uncommon-wear-10-outfits-day.html/”>embrace of femininity</a>, was a feminist icon. </p>
<p id=”par-3_83″>“People who haven’t listened to Dolly Parton or to feminism may be surprised to learn that they go together,” Steinem wrote in <a href=”https://msmagazine.com/2026/08/27/dolly-parton-gloria-steinem-feminist/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Ms. Magazine</a>. “In fact, she has crossed musical class lines to bring work, real life, and strong women into a world of pop music usually dominated by unreal romance. She has used her business sense to bring other women and poor people along with her. And her flamboyant style has turned all the devalued symbols of womanliness to her own ends.”</p>
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<p id=”par-4_14″>Steinem noted that Parton found her power and inspired others to do the same.</p>
<p id=”par-5_25″>“If feminism means each of us finding our unique power, and helping other women do the same, Dolly Parton certainly has done both,” she wrote.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-dolly-parton-never-described-herself-as-a-feminist”>Dolly Parton never described herself as a feminist</h2>
<p id=”par-6_23″>Though many view Parton as a feminist icon, Parton outright <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/dolly-parton-feminist-icon-says-shes-not-a-feminist.html/”>rejected the label</a>. She felt it meant she was taking an extreme stance. </p>
<p id=”par-7_70″>“I guess when you say feminist, it’s just what I think at the time,” she said. “Like, everybody goes to extremes sometimes. I do not like extreme things. I do believe in making a point and making it well. I don’t believe in crucifying a whole group just because a few people have made mistakes. To me, when you say just the word ‘feminist,’ is like, ‘I hate all men.’”</p>
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<p id=”par-8_21″>She also noted that she liked to lead by example. She didn’t feel that she needed a label to behave well.</p>
<p id=”par-9_48″>“I don’t need to carry a sign to say I’m a woman,” Parton said on <em>The Oprah Conversation</em>, adding, “I don’t need to carry a sign to say do this, do that. I try to live my life to let people [live]. I try to be an inspiration.”</p>