Dolly Parton Day
Ohio Proclaims Dolly Parton Day to Honor Literacy and Philanthropy
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Key Points
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Dolly Parton founded the Imagination Library in 1995 in East Tennessee in honor of her father, who was unable to read; the program has since expanded internationally and distributes more than 3 million books each month.
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The proclamation follows Parton’s death from cancer on Aug. 25, 2026, according to the report.
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The Dolly Parton literacy effort has been a particular priority of Ohio first lady Fran DeWine since her husband became governor in 2019; she said the books could “change the trajectory” of children’s lives.
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Ohio previously marked a Dolly Parton Day in August 2022, when Parton visited the state to celebrate the Imagination Library; Gov. DeWine also named his dog Dolly after the singer.
Ohio has proclaimed September 25, 2026, as Dolly Parton Day, honoring the late country music legend who died of cancer on August 25, 2026. WHIO reports that Governor Mike DeWine and Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel signed the proclamation to recognize Parton's decades of philanthropy and her unwavering commitment to children's literacy through the Imagination Library program.
The date marks a deliberate reference to Parton's 1980 hit song and film '9 to 5.' More importantly, it celebrates a statewide literacy initiative that has already placed over 1 million books in Ohio homes. ABC6 On Your Side notes that the program now mails more than 432,000 books monthly across all 88 counties, reaching roughly 64% to 65% of eligible children from birth through age five, regardless of family income.
A Global Literacy Legacy Begun in East Tennessee
Dolly Parton founded the Imagination Library in 1995 to honor her father, who could not read. What started as a small East Tennessee effort has grown into an international program that distributes more than 3 million books every month. WKBN reports that Parton's death from cancer followed a brief illness, leaving behind one of the most successful book-distribution networks in American philanthropic history.
Ohio's Statewide Expansion Since 2019
The Ohio Imagination Library launched statewide in 2019 and has since become a cornerstone of the state's early literacy strategy. Peak of Ohio reports that Gov. DeWine and Lt. Gov. Tressel signed the proclamation to celebrate this expansion across all 88 counties. First Lady Fran DeWine has championed the effort, believing these books can 'change the trajectory' of young children's lives.
Families can enroll children at birth through age five free of charge through ohioimaginationlibrary.org. Over 1 million Ohio children have participated since the program's statewide launch. The monthly book distribution creates a consistent early-literacy habit that crosses income and geography boundaries, ensuring every child gets access regardless of ability to pay.
How a Ceremonial Date Reinforces Active Philanthropy
The September 25 designation does more than honor Parton's memory. It connects cultural recognition to an operating initiative that remains active and measurable. WLWT notes that Gov. DeWine praised Parton for her generosity and life legacy. By anchoring a public holiday to the Imagination Library's ongoing work, Ohio keeps attention focused on enrollment, book mailing, and statewide partnerships rather than remembrance alone.
This approach illustrates how public and private sectors can work together. Parton created the concept and funded it. State leadership then institutionalized and expanded it across every county. The result: a scalable model that reaches nearly two-thirds of eligible Ohio children, proving that philanthropic vision and government infrastructure can amplify literacy impact far beyond what either could achieve alone.
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