California has officially established Sept. 25 as Dolly Parton Day in honor of the renowned singer, songwriter, philanthropist and actress, the governor’s office announced Sunday.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 931, authored by State Senators Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, and John Laird, D-Santa Cruz. The date — 9/25 — was selected as a clever nod to Parton’s beloved hit song “9 to 5,” according to the governor’s office.
“We could all afford to live a little more like Dolly. Be kind, be humble, and have some fun… Be a diamond in a rhinestone world,” Newsom said in a statement. “With this bill, we are not just establishing a day to celebrate Dolly Parton, 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.”
Dubbed the “Queen of Country,” Parton is celebrated as one of the most successful country music performers in history, having sold more than 100 million records worldwide. Over her six-decade career, she achieved 25 number-one hits — the most by any female country artist.
Her iconic anthem “I Will Always Love You” topped the charts twice, in 1974 and 1982, before Whitney Houston later covered it to enormous global acclaim.
Beyond music, Parton built an enduring legacy in acting, producing, and business. Her contributions to Hollywood include her acting debut in the feminist comedy film “9 to 5,” as well as both the 1992 film and the hit television series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” for which she served as an uncredited producer.
Lawmakers emphasized that Parton’s impact stretches far beyond entertainment, particularly highlighting her humanitarian work and commitment to early childhood literacy through the Imagination Library. The program has distributed more than 300 million books to children worldwide, including across California.
“Dolly Parton sparkled on every stage she ever stood on, but her brightest sparkle was the literacy legacy she built through the Imagination Library,” Grove said. “I am incredibly proud of the bipartisan work we have accomplished, from bringing her bilingual reading program statewide in California with former Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins, to introducing a bipartisan bill with Senator Laird to establish this annual day of remembrance.”
The love Dolly gave so freely, rooted in her deep and openly shared faith, and the love the world returned to her, shows how deeply she was cherished by everyone. I thank Governor Newsom for signing SB 931 so that every September 25th, our state will remember the legend who put millions of books in the hands of our youngest readers and inspired the world on how to respect and love one another,” Grove added.
Laird echoed those sentiments, noting Parton’s deep ties to the state.
“I’m grateful to Governor Newsom for signing our bill and to Senator Grove for her partnership in making September 25 Dolly Parton Day in California,” Laird said in a statement.
“Dolly brought joy to a lot of people, but her legacy goes well beyond her music. Through the Imagination Library, she put books into the hands of millions of children, and throughout her life she led with kindness, acceptance, and a belief that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. She was also no stranger to the Central Coast, where she performed for packed crowds and spent time over the years. Now, every 9-2-5, California gets to celebrate Dolly and the remarkable legacy she shared with all of us,” Laird said.