Sarah Colley studied theater while in college during the Great Depression intending to be a serious actress. While touring with a theater company she created the down home character of Minnie Pearl to help promote performances. Her first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry in 1940 was a success and eased fears that her satire of rural ways might not be appreciated by country audiences. People instead embraced Minnie as one of their own for more than 50 years.