Why was Dolly Parton loved by people across generations, musical genres and communities that might not otherwise appear to have much in common?

In the first mini bonus episode of Dude, Tengo Chisme, Maribel Lara and Aimée Thorne-Thomsen celebrate Dolly Parton ahead of Dolly Day on September 25, a date inspired by her iconic song “9 to 5.”

For both Maribel and Aimée, Dolly had been part of the cultural landscape for almost as long as they could remember. Their mothers and grandmothers introduced them to country music alongside the pop, disco, rock and early hip-hop playing in their New York City homes. Dolly arrived through vinyl records, variety shows, movies and songs that crossed far beyond the boundaries of country music.

They revisit the Dolly-and-Whitney dance party they attended together in Las Vegas and the childhood memories that made songs like “Jolene,” “The Bargain Store” and “9 to 5” part of their lives.

Maribel reflects on watching 9 to 5 as an early feminist awakening. The film showed three very different women confronting sexism in the workplace and imagining what a company could become if women were allowed to lead. Dolly’s character was feminine, funny, underestimated, whip-smart and unwilling to be disrespected, much like Dolly herself.

Aimée confesses that she initially resisted Whitney Houston’s version of “I Will Always Love You” because she knew and loved it as a Dolly Parton song first. That eventually became another example of Dolly’s brilliance: she could create stories other artists made their own without losing the emotional truth at their center. They also discuss Beyoncé’s reimagining of “Jolene” and what both versions reveal about the reach of Dolly’s songwriting.

But Dolly’s legacy extended far beyond entertainment.

Maribel and Aimée reflect on the Imagination Library, Dollywood’s impact on the local economy, Dolly’s support of medical research and the many ways she quietly invested her money in people and communities. They discuss how her generosity grew from her own family story, including her father’s difficulty reading, and how she embodied a version of Christian faith rooted in welcoming people, helping neighbors and doing good without demanding recognition for it.

Dolly could be glamorous, deeply feminine, brilliant, business-savvy, generous, faithful, mischievous and occasionally a little naughty. She created space for people who did not always feel welcomed by country music, and she brought people together through storytelling and joy.

That joy is how Maribel and Aimée choose to remember her.

May we have more Dollys in our lifetime.

Follow Dude, Tengo Chisme on Instagram: @dudetengochisme

Chisme since ’96.