Nearly one month ago, the world mourned the loss of Dolly Parton, the queen of country music; but her memory and philanthropic spirit live on through Friday’s proclamation that Sept. 25 be officially recognized as Dolly Parton Appreciation Day.
In homage to one of Parton’s most beloved feature film roles, Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigel, alongside representatives from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and Ellen Cassedy, the Co-Founder of the 9-to-5, National Association of Working Women, made the proclamation in The Refectory at Vanderbilt University – NYC, an educational institution with historic ties to the storied singer.
“Could there be a more grand place to celebrate Dolly Parton than in this beautiful hall?” said Hoylman-Sigel. “What she did for advancing literacy — not to mention her role in popular culture and workers’ rights.”
Over the years, Parton has been honored with numerous proclamations of “Dolly Parton Day.” In 1970, her hometown of Sevierville, Tennessee, declared a Dolly Parton Day; in 2011, the South Carolina General Assembly declared June 3 as Dolly Parton Day, in connection with the grand opening of a dinner theater associated with the singer. This year, on Jan. 19, the State of Tennessee declared Parton’s 80th birthday to be Dolly Parton Day across the state.
Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-SigelPhoto by Jonathan Portee 
Sept. 25 is officially Dolly Parton Appreciation Day in NYC.Photo by Jonathan Portee
With a seven-decade-long career that saw some 3,000 songs written and over 100 million records sold, it is undisputed that Parton was one of the best-selling musical artists in history. But reasons for celebrating Parton’s many achievements don’t stop at what she’s accomplished as a musician.
Among her many philanthropic ventures is the oft-celebrated Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, an organization that boasts gifting over 300 million books to children across five countries.
Like many of her songs, Parton’s advocacy for childhood literacy came from a place close to home, as her own father, Robert Lee Parton, was illiterate and never learned to read or write.
“My daughter received books from the Imagination Library; they’re given to children five and under without regard to income or background, and I think it made a big difference in her life just as it has for millions of children across the country,” said Hoylman-Sigel.
New York City Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels reads to kids at the event.Photo by Jonathan Portee 
New York City Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels reads to kids at the event.Photo by Jonathan Portee 
Sept. 25 is officially Dolly Parton Appreciation Day in NYC.Photo by Jonathan Portee
Dolly Parton’s influence is wide-reaching in ways that are sometimes surprising. For example, the many millions of Americans who received a Moderna vaccine have, in part, Parton to thank after she donated $1 million to research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, at a critical stage early in the vaccine’s development.
Other lesser-known connections to Parton include New York City Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels, whose mother-in-law is Ellen Cassedy, the Co-Founder of the 9-to-5, National Association of Working Women, and the inspiration for the hit comedy film of the same name starring Parton.
In celebration of this serendipitous connection, Chancellor Samuels read from Dolly Parton’s best-selling children’s picture book Coat of Many Colors to a class of kindergarteners from NYC’s P.S. 11.
Many in attendance were delighted to hear remarks from elected officials who also hold a special place in their hearts for the impact Dolly Parton has had on their lives.