Before I ask the question, just know that the resounding answer is YES. Dolly Parton should be immortalized in our state's Capitol.
And it actually looks like it could happen.
Tennessee State Representative John Mark Windle - who represents Fentress, Morgan, and Overton counties - introduced a bill to the State House this week to "implement a plan for the commissioning of a statue of Dolly Parton, to recognize her for all she has contributed to this state."
He proposed that the statue sit on the Capitol grounds, facing towards the Mother Church itself - Ryman Auditorium.
So what has Dolly done for the state? Well, other than being an incredible singer, songwriter, and performer, she's given back millions of dollars to her hometown in Sevier County, including raising half a million bucks for a new hospital and establishing a fund that helped the area get back on its feet after wildfires in 2016. She donated a million dollars to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in 2018 and helped fund the beautiful butterfly wall that greets you as soon as you set foot in the hospital. Her Imagination Library offers a free book once a month, mailed to every child born in Tennessee until they're five years old. That program just donated it's 100 millionth book a couple of years ago. And more recently, Dolly donated a million dollars to Vanderbilt Hospital to fund research for the COVID-19 vaccine.
So, does Dolly Parton deserve a statue?
YOU BET YOUR BUTT SHE DOES. Is anyone really going to vote against this measure? Make it happen, Nashville.