The icon Dolly Parton has passed but her legacy and "radical empathy" will endure through media, charity and of course, Dollywood. #UCSB professor Helen Morales—the first Dollyologist and author of "Pilgrimage to Dollywood"—examines Parton's enduring cultural power. Beyond her singing, songwriting and acting, it was Parton's public persona that drew people to her. In a culture prone to moral certainty, Parton modeled something different, "forgiveness and understanding and dialogue." "She was very keen on self-irony, very self-aware," Morales says. Over more than a decade, Morales has examined that interplay between the songs, the persona and the devotion surrounding Parton. Full story at the link in bio 💕 #UCSantaBarbara #DollyParton #HellenicStudies Photo Credit: Harry Langdon; Copyright Rock Negatives / MediaPunch 2026 Image descriptions for the visually impaired: 1. Dolly Parton with platinum blonde hair in yellow dress with pink glitter behind her. 2. UCSB's Helen Moral...