A movie screening in Emporia Friday night celebrated Dolly Parton’s lasting influence, both as an entertainer and as someone who always strove to make others, no matter their identity, seen and valued.
Queer Year Round gathered at Mulready’s Pub to watch the film 9 to 5 at 9:25 on 9/25. The timing was a playful tribute, but organizer Mallory Bishop says the group’s connection to Parton runs deeper than the movie, much like many around the country and the world.
Bishop pointed to Parton’s support for the queer community and message of love and acceptance for all people before acknowledging her as a “positive contradiction”: a woman devoted to her faith and her Southern roots who constantly expressed love for all no matter their differences.
The evening was not meant only as a time to honor Parton’s memory, but also the Imagination Library, which she founded to help promote literacy among children from an early age. A special raffle, featuring hand-crafted stained glass pieces from Bishop, took place, with all proceeds supporting the Imagination Library.
Much like Dolly’s message, Bishop says the Imagination Library holds a very personal place in the hearts of many Queer Year Round members.
The Imagination Library program gives books at no cost to children up to age 5 on a monthly basis. When Parton died late last month, the program had given away more than 330 million books worldwide. Since it started locally in 2014, United Way Director Whitney Johnson said the total was over 200,000 books, an average of 1,800 per month.
