October 2022 Nonconformist of the Month – Loretta Lynn

On October 4, 2022 the world learned of the passing of country legend Loretta Lynn.  For that reason, I chose her as this month’s nonconformist.  Born in 1932 in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky, Loretta was the second oldest of eight children, including the youngest, singer Crystal Gayle (also a country singer).  Butcher Hollow isn’t an actual town, but part of a larger rural coal-mining area in eastern Kentucky.  Her father worked in the coal mine at night and farmed the land by day, as the family was very poor.

Loretta married at the young age of 15.  She had 4 children before she turned 20 and then a set of twin girls in 1964 when she was 32.   She had lived a sheltered life in the remote area where she grew up.  Her intelligence helped her to overcome some naivete after getting married and moving to Washington state.  She even taught herself to play guitar, started writing songs, and won a singing contest.  Her first hit was “I’m a Honky Tonk Girl” in 1960. 

Loretta grew braver with her song-writing over the years, which made her controversial and also a trailblazer for women of the time.  Her first number one hit was the assertive “Don’t Come Home a Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind)” in 1967.  Then she wrote the song “Fist City” which was a strong warning for women to stay away from her husband and steer clear or there would be a fight.  She continued to stick up for herself (and other women) by writing a similar-themed song called “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man)” which included lots of barbs and warnings to said women, which she delivered in a sticky sweet southern fashion.  This delivery made the lyrics even more powerful and again she was controversial because women at that time were not taught to stand up for themselves.

In 1975, she again stirred up controversy by writing “The Pill” about the freedom woman were finally able to experience due to the availability of birth control.  The song was banned by some radio stations because the subject matter was considered risqué at the time.  In 1980, her life was displayed on the big screen through a biopic named after her autobiographical song “Coal Miner’s Daughter”.

Loretta Lynn was considered a trailblazer for women, and was well-liked and well-respected by both men and women in the business.  She did many duets over the years and appeared on many award shows (winning many in the process) and variety shows.  She was always kind but outspoken about her opinions, which most people found admirable.  As she aged, she remained active as a performer until it became too difficult due to health reasons.  After bouts of pneumonia, a couple of falls, and a stroke she had to stop performing.  She passed away in her sleep in October 2022 at age 90 and was honored as a country legend.

Thank you, Loretta, for your honesty and integrity as an artist and for opening so many doors for women.  RIP.