Influential Tennesseans in Modern History

From Carthage, TN. Was Vice President under Bill Clinton for eight years.

• Alex Haley

• Al Gore, Jr.

• Dolly Parton

• Oprah Winfrey

Performed at the Grand Ole Opry when they were 13. Has a theme park named after her.

• Wilma Rudolph

• Oprah Winfrey

• Dolly Parton

This Tennessean was established their own TV network.

• Dolly Parton

• Oprah Winfrey

• Wilma Rudolph

• Al Gore, Jr.

This author and Pulitzer Prize winner graduated high school at the age of 15.

• Oprah Winfrey

• Dolly Parton

• Al Gore, Jr.

• Alex Haley

This Tennessean set a world record for the 200-meter dash.

• Wilma Rudolph

• Oprah Winfrey

• Alex Haley

• Al Gore, Jr.

This Tennessean was born with polio, but still won a gold medal in the 1960 Olympics.

• Alex Haley

• Wilma Rudolph

• Oprah Winfrey

• Al Gore, Jr.

This Tennessean ran for president against George Bush in 2000.

• Alex Haley

• Oprah Winfrey

• Dolly Parton

• Al Gore, Jr.

The author who wrote the book Roots, The Saga of an American Family.

• Alex Haley

• Al Gore, Jr.

• Dolly Parton

• Oprah Winfrey

This musician shares the record with Reba McIntire for the most No. 1 hits (25) by a female country artist.

• Oprah Winfrey

• Dolly Parton

• Wilma Rudolph

This Tennessean was a dedicated activist for children's rights, and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013.

• Oprah Winfrey

• Al Gore, Jr.

• Wilma Rudolph

• Alex Haley