Amy Rawe’s Open Apology To Dolly Parton Gets 600,000 Facebook Reactions

The letter called “An Open Apology To Dolly Parton” is going viral, with more than 600,000 Facebook reactions for the post, according to Trendolizer. Written by Amy Rawe, the open and honest letter explains how Amy first presumed that Dolly was nothing but a big-breasted blonde more concerned with dolling Parton up than more important humanitarian efforts — that is, until Rawe learned that Dolly’s still waters ran a lot deeper than Parton’s pretty appearance.

Amy began her “Dear Dolly” letter with the admission that Rawe believed Parton was a “bimbo” when Rawe grew up in the Midwest, not understanding Dolly’s country and glamorous style. When Amy heard about Parton — from the impoverished hills of East Tennessee — building the Dollywood theme park in Sevier County, Rawe clucked at Parton. Dollywood wouldn’t help poor people in rural Appalachia, Amy initially thought. Instead, Rawe judged Dolly and thought Parton should create a library. Then Amy learned that Dolly indeed had a massive library that would help even Rawe’s own child.

The heartfelt letter from Rawe to Parton, as reported by WBIR, is resonating with people online, as folks on Facebook wonder aloud if Dolly has seen Amy’s letter — theorizing that perhaps Parton might respond to Amy. As Rawe mentioned, Parton plans to have a telethon to help the victims of the Tennessee wildfires — a fact that Rawe also praised Parton for organizing. Even before Parton’s fundraiser, celebrities like Taylor Swift and Kenny Chesney have contributed, according to a report by People. Swift gave a $100,000 donation. Dolly’s telethon, called “Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund,” hits airwaves on December 13, according to Rolling Stone. The telethon will raise funds for those who suffered from the wildfires in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Damage to more than 2,400 buildings happened — along with 14 deaths. All of the funds from the telethon will go towards benefiting the Dollywood Foundation.

Amy mentioned the inviting letter she received from “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library” when Rawe first moved to Knoxville. Amy’s 2-year-old daughter got the free books each month that the “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library” sends any child under the age of 5 who wants them, in participating counties. Such a move from Dolly was right up Amy’s alley, seeing as though Rawe is a writer, editor, and book lover.

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library has given away more than one million books, Amy noted.

“With the humble generosity and graciousness I’m learning is signature Dolly Parton, you’re not only planning a telethon to raise funds for the fire victims, but you’ve also created the My People Fund to provide, as you say, a ‘hand up to all those families who have lost everything in the fires.’

“Those struggling families will receive, thanks to you, $1,000 a month for 6 months. Countless stories detail how these families escaped with literally minutes to spare, and with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. And with each story, there’s a strong undercurrent of hope about how strangers helped one another and how this region is ‘mountain strong.’ Your generosity both reflects and inspires this region’s spirit and resiliency.”

With Amy’s daughter now a 9-year-old, Rawe explained to her girl how Dolly is a superhero similar to the other heroes the girl admires.

In the end of Rawe’s letter, Amy let it be known to Dolly that she was apologetic for not understanding Parton’s big heart sooner — and sorry that Rawe only focused on the big boobs and external persona Parton is famous for. Signed, “Your biggest fan, Amy Rawe,” Amy’s letter to Dolly is making a big splash on social media.

[Featured Image by Peter Dejong/AP Images]