Dolly Parton Gave 1980's '9 to 5' a Friendly Feminist Face
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Aug 27
Dolly Parton Gave 1980's '9 to 5' a Friendly Feminist Face
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Aug 27
Summary
Jane Fonda cast Dolly Parton in 1980's “9 to 5” after hearing her on the radio and envisioning her as a secretary, a choice that helped define the film’s tone and reach.
Parton publicly resisted calling the movie feminist, telling Rolling Stone in 1980 it was “just a funny, funny show” rather than a political statement about secretaries, bosses or workplace inequality.
Yet “9 to 5” was built from interviews with dozens of clerical workers organized by activist Karen Nussbaum, who described sexism, sexual harassment and fantasies of revenge against abusive bosses.
Parton, who died Tuesday, later acknowledged the film had “a good message,” and her refusal of labels came to be seen by many fans as part of her broad, unifying public appeal.