Honoring Dolly Parton's Legacy
California Officially Establishes September 25 as Dolly Parton Day to Honor Her Legacy
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Gov. Gavin Newsom framed the observance as a call to emulate Parton’s character, saying, “Be kind, be humble and have some fun. Be a diamond in a rhinestone world,” and describing the day as an annual reminder to live “joyfully, graciously and with a whole heart.”
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Parton recorded 25 No. 1 hits—the most by any female artist in music history—and gained her first major acting role in the 1980 film “9 to 5,” playing a secretary who confronts a sexist boss.
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The Imagination Library has enrolled more than 3 million children and distributed over 330 million books, according to the East Bay Times; Parton’s funding also contributed to development of a COVID-19 vaccine.
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Beyond book distribution, the Dollywood Foundation has supported education through scholarships and financial assistance for people in need, reflecting the broader scope of Parton’s philanthropy.
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Knoxville-area celebrations include Dolly-inspired tattoo flash sales, with portions of proceeds directed to the Imagination Library and raffle proceeds intended for local disaster relief; a North Knoxville neighborhood event will also hold a book swap and collect donations for the county’s Imagination Library.
California has made September 25 Dolly Parton Day official, honoring the country legend's six-decade career and charitable legacy USA Today. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bipartisan law linking the date to her iconic 1980 hit "9 to 5"—the numbers mirror 9/25 on a calendar USA Today.
The observance celebrates Parton's 25 No. 1 hits, more than 100 million records sold, and her Imagination Library, which has distributed over 330 million books to children East Bay Times. Newsom called it an annual reminder to "be kind, be humble and have some fun" and to "live joyfully, graciously and with a whole heart" USA Today.
A Decades-Long Career of Music and Film
Parton holds the record for the most No. 1 hits by any female artist in music history with 25 chart-toppers USA Today. Her breakout acting role came in the 1980 film "9 to 5," where she played a secretary fighting a sexist boss alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin LA Times.
The Imagination Library's Impact on Millions of Children
The Imagination Library has enrolled more than 3 million children and distributed over 330 million books since its founding East Bay Times. Parton's philanthropy extends beyond books—her funding contributed to the development of a COVID-19 vaccine during the pandemic East Bay Times.
Communities Celebrate With Festivals and Service
San Francisco, Nashville, Portland, and Knoxville-area communities are planning festivals, concerts, and book drives for September 25 USA Today. The Dollywood Foundation has designated it "Give Like Dolly Day," encouraging music, kindness, reading with children, and community service USA Today.
In Knoxville, organizers are hosting Dolly-inspired tattoo flash sales with proceeds going to the Imagination Library and disaster relief News Observer. A North Knoxville neighborhood event will hold a book swap and collect donations for the county's Imagination Library News Observer.
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