Sigma Alpha Iota

distinguished member A cover of "After the Gold Rush" won a Grammy for Best Country Collaboration with vocals in 1999. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame later that year. Her 1999 acoustic The Grass Is Blue album won the International Bluegrass Music Association's Album of the Year and a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album. She continued to work in bluegrass on it Little Sparrow in 2001 and Halos & Horns in 2002. She also returned to No. 1 on the country charts in 2006 for appearing on the Brad Paisley ballad, "When I Get Where I'm Going." In 2006, Parton was nominated for Best Original Score Tony Award for the Broadway adaptation of 9 to 5, and her children's book, I Am a Rainbow, was published. In 2008, Parton released the album Backwoods Barbie, securing her highest all-genre Billboard 200 chart position by debuting at number seventeen. In 2009, she released a four-disc album featuring 99 songs recorded throughout her career. "I've always been a writer," she said. "My songs are the door to every dream I've ever had and every success I've ever achieved." Long respected for her instinctive business savvy, Parton established Velvet Apple Music (BMI) early in her career and owns the copyrights and the publishing for her vast songwriting empire. She owns her own successful record label, Blue Eye Records. Parton transitioned into producing movies and television shows when she established Sandollar Productions with See page 39 for additional Distinguished Members. former manager Sandy Gallin. A film and television production company, Sandollar has produced feature films such as Father of the Bride I and II, Straight Talk, Sabrina, Shining Through, IQ, and the Academy Award-winning documentary Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt, along with Fox television shows "Babes" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Parton is the most honored female country performer of all time. Achieving 25 Recording Industry Association of America-certified gold, platinum and PARTON continued on page 12 Supporting Music P P2 Around the Globe PE OP LE -TO T O -PE PL E he People-to-People project assists Albert Hunt, International Coordinator of Sinfonía por la Vida, in acquiring music, instruments, and accessories for students in Ecuador. Don't Delay, Donate Today! Giving the Gift of Music Around the World An SAI Philanthropies, Inc. Project www.sai-national.org A Personal Reflection on Parton's Influence W hen my kindergarten teacher asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, without a moment's hesitation, I proudly answered, "Dolly Parton!" Growing up, I was in and out of hospitals. My earliest memories are of hospital rooms and Dolly Parton's music. My parents would bring my Walkman so I could listen to her music during my frequent stays. When I was well, I loved nothing better than putting on my favorite blue jean skirt and my grandfather's cowboy boots and dancing around my living room while singing "Why'd You Come in Here Lookin' Like That" into my hairbrush. Her hair, makeup, and love of sequins enthralled me. The fact that she was a local girl (born and raised in Sevier County, TN) gave me hope that anything, including a life outside of hospitals and doctors' offices, was possible. I was initiated into the Gamma Rho chapter at the University of Tennessee in December 2002. Since then, Dolly Parton's name has come up frequently in discussion among both college and alumnae sisters. Many of our local sisters wanted to invite her to membership, but had no idea where to begin. Luckily, Ashley Boone, President of the Knoxville Alumnae Chapter, had the determination to make our idea a reality. Her tenacity paid off. After receiving approval to initiate from the chairman of the SAI Honorary Member committee and communicating via email with Ted Miller of Dolly Parton Productions, our chapter received official confirmation that Dolly Parton had accepted our invitation to membership. Dolly Parton truly represents the ideals of our beloved fraternity. Her music career spans five decades. She has been recognized for her musical accomplishments many times over. Her distinctive soprano is known worldwide. But it is her philanthropic efforts that set her apart. Her initiatives have done much to improve the lives of East Tennesseans. Dollywood has brought jobs, as well as tax and tourist dollars, into the area. Her Dollywood Foundation provides college scholarships to graduates of her alma mater, Sevier County High School. The foundation also oversees the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, a project began in East Tennessee in 1996 that has expanded to include counties all over the United States, as well as the United Kingdom and Canada. Over 2.5 million books are distributed to children annually. In recognition, the Knoxville Alumnae Chapter initiated Ms. Parton as an Honorary Member of Sigma Alpha Iota on Friday, June 17 2011. The ceremony was held at the Heartsong Theatre at Dollywood. The small group that assembled for the ceremony represented every aspect of our membership: collegiate sisters, alumnae, patronesses, Friends of the Arts, former and current members of the National Executive Board including Friend of the Arts Chairman Fran Creasy and past National Vice President, Ritual and Fraternity Education Clara Meacham, as well as Region VII Officer Joyce Garcia and Psi A Province Officer Holly Sansom. The Presiding Officer was the President of the Knoxville Alumnae Chapter, Ashley Boone. Ginny Britt presented Ms. Parton for membership as the Assisting Officer. Hannah McDaniel served as pianist and SAI Executive Director Ruth Sieber Johnson was the featured vocalist. The ceremony was beautiful. Afterward, Ms. Parton greeted every sister warmly and sincerely and posed for group pictures. It was a truly memorable day for all present. It was certainly a day I will never forget. I did not grow up to be Dolly Parton, but I did grow up to be her Sister, which I think is pretty amazing. — Shannon R. Martindale, South Georgia Alumnae Chapter sai-national.org FALL 2011 PAN PIPES 11

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