California is officially celebrating its inaugural Dolly Parton Day today, September 25. The state observance honors the iconic country music singer, actress, and humanitarian, with the date serving as a play on her famous anthem, 9 to 5.
The annual day of recognition was signed into law earlier this month under Senate Bill 931. Authored by Senators Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) and John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), the bipartisan legislation passed with overwhelming support to celebrate Parton’s decades of cultural contributions and her vast philanthropic legacy.
While known globally for her record-breaking music career, Parton’s impact in the Golden State extends deeply into early childhood education. Her signature literacy initiative, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, partners with local programs across California to mail free, high-quality books monthly to children from birth to age five. To date, the program has delivered millions of books to young readers across the state.
“We could all afford to live a little more like Dolly,” Governor Gavin Newsom stated upon signing the bill. “Be kind, be humble, and have some fun… With this bill, we are creating an annual reminder to us every year to live the way she did—joyfully, graciously, and with a whole lot of heart.”
State officials, schools, and local communities across California are encouraging residents to mark the day by spreading acts of kindness, supporting local literacy programs, and, of course, playing a few classic Dolly tracks.
