The Victors

1. Dolly Parton. On her humility.
I had a close contact with someone who was an executive with something called The National Women’s Hall of Fame. They have a museum in Seneca Falls and do outreach and what have you. Their big fundraiser was every two years they’d have a big induction ceremony. If you were nominated, to get inducted you had to agree to show up, give a speech etc.

Some people get nominated but not inducted. For example, Navratilova and Dolly Parton. Navratilova just politely said no thanks. Just not a priority she’s clearing time for. Parton? She very politely said no thanks because she genuinely felt she did not belong in a Hall celebrating important people like Sandra Day O’Connor and Lorraine Hansbury. Just basically “you should pick someone more important than me. I just sing.”

2. I have the honor of saying my cat was once misdiagnosed by the UM presidents sister.