AUSTIN, Texas – Families in Texas can now officially celebrate Dolly Day in Texas.
Gov. Greg Abbott has proclaimed Sept. 25 as Dolly Parton Day in Texas to pay tribute to Dolly Rebecca Parton and her dedication to early literacy.
Dolly Parton Day (often called Dolly Day) is a widespread annual celebration observed on September 25 to honor the life, music, and philanthropy of the legendary country singer. The date 9/25 was chosen as a deliberate, clever nod to her iconic 1980 hit song and movie, “9 to 5”.
“Dolly Parton gave children the gift of a first book and a path to read,” Abbott said.
The governor said the state celebrates both Parton’s legacy and her efforts to advance literacy among Texas children.
“Texas honors her life and her work. Today I proclaim Dolly Parton Day so families across our state remember a legend who put books in the hands of Texas children,” Abbott said.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program delivers a free book each month to enrolled children from birth through age five. According to the Dollywood Foundation, more than 74,500 children in Texas receive these monthly books and local program partners support the distribution across 90 Texas counties.
The proclamation coincides with Give Like Dolly Day, an annual event organized by the Dollywood Foundation to encourage support for local Imagination Library programs. Abbott encouraged families to mark the day together and to back their local libraries and community partners who help deliver books to young Texans.