Dolly Parton’s Legacy and Her Connection to Fulbright

“Dream more, learn more, care more, and be more.”

Fulbright celebrates the life and legacy of Dolly Parton, an icon of American culture whose artistic career, music, and philanthropy have inspired and moved generations in the United States and around the world.

Her extraordinary story also has a connection to the Fulbright community. In 1996, Parton starred in, produced, and composed the original score for *Unlikely Angel*, a film based on a story by the renowned writer Catherine Ann Jones, a Fulbright scholar who holds a master’s degree in Depth Psychology and Archetypal Mythology from the Pacifica Graduate Institute, where she also served as a faculty member.

Jones, an award-winning playwright, author, and screenwriter, has played leading roles in more than 50 plays on and off Broadway. Twelve of her plays, including *Calamity Jane*, *The Women of Cedar Creek*, and *Freud’s Oracle*, have received multiple awards and have been produced both in New York and off-Broadway. Her play *On the Edge* received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Her books are used as teaching materials at numerous institutions, including the writing programs at New York University.

This connection represents a convergence of two expressions of the American spirit: Dolly Parton’s talent and creativity, and the exchange of knowledge and experiences promoted by Fulbright.

Her legacy reminds us of the power of dreaming, learning, and giving back to others—values that continue to inspire generations through the Fulbright community.

Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, 1970.