California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation establishing an official Dolly Parton Day every September 25 to honor the late country music legend.
Newsom signed Senate Bill 931 on Monday in Los Angeles, formally recognizing Parton's musical and philanthropic legacy across California and the United States. The official state commemoration comes less than a month after the celebrated singer and songwriter passed away on August 25 at the age of 80.
State lawmakers designated September 25 because the date is written as 9/25 in the standard American date format, referencing Parton's famous hit song 9 to 5. In a statement released alongside the signing, Newsom said that the new law did not merely create a day to celebrate Parton, but established an annual reminder to live as she did, with joy, kindness, and plenty of heart.
A legendary career in country music
Widely recognized as the Queen of Country, Parton was one of the most successful recording artists in history, selling more than 100 million records worldwide over a career that spanned six decades. Her musical achievements include 25 number-one hits on the country charts, the highest total for any female country music performer, alongside 11 Grammy Awards.
Born in rural Tennessee, Parton first rose to national prominence in the late 1960s before building a solo career that bridged traditional country music and mainstream pop. Known for her distinct soprano voice and songwriting talent, she penned classic tracks including Jolene, Coat of Many Colors, and I Will Always Love You, while also starring in Hollywood feature films.
The title track for the 1980 workplace comedy film 9 to 5 became one of her signature anthems, earning critical acclaim and widespread pop chart success. Beyond her recordings, Parton expanded her cultural influence through business ventures, including her Dollywood theme park in Tennessee, and earned inductions into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Philanthropy and literacy work
Beyond her chart-topping musical successes, Parton established a lasting legacy through her extensive charitable commitments. In 1995, she launched Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, a literacy initiative designed to mail a free book every month to children from their birth until they turn five years old. Parton created the program in honor of her father, who had never learned to read or write.
The literacy initiative began as a local effort in East Tennessee before expanding into a global program that has distributed tens of millions of books to young children across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Ireland. The program aims to foster a love of reading from an early age regardless of a family's income.
Her philanthropic commitments extended into public health during the covid-19 pandemic, when she donated $1 million to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. That contribution supported critical medical research that helped lead to the development of effective covid-19 vaccines.
A lasting cultural influence
Throughout her long public life, Parton maintained an exceptionally positive image among fans and the wider public. Observers attributed her enduring popularity across demographic lines to her warm personality, self-deprecating humor, and consistent effort to avoid partisan political confrontation, even as she occasionally shared her views on key social issues.
By enacting Senate Bill 931, California joins a growing movement of official tributes honoring Parton's life and cultural impact following her death. The annual observance every September 25 will ensure that future generations across the state remember both her extraordinary musical career and her lifelong dedication to helping others.
