CALIFORNIA — California lawmakers are honoring Dolly Parton’s legacy of music, philanthropy and literacy by designating Sept. 25 as Dolly Parton Day in California.
Senate Bill 931, jointly authored by Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, and Sen. John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, would require the governor to annually proclaim Sept. 25 as Dolly Parton Day, with the 9-2-5 date serving as a nod to Parton’s iconic song and film “9 to 5.”
“Dolly Parton has a remarkable ability to bring people together, and her heart for children and literacy is one of the greatest parts of her legacy,” Grove said. “The Imagination Library has given thousands of California children the opportunity to discover a lifelong love of reading, and I am incredibly proud of the work we have done to expand its reach across our state. It is only fitting that California now has a day to celebrate Dolly and the tremendous impact she continues to make.”
SB 931 brings lawmakers together in recognition of Parton’s music, philanthropy and service to others.
“Dolly Parton brought joy to a lot of people, but her legacy goes well beyond her music,” Laird said. “Through the Imagination Library, she put books into the hands of millions of children and helped give them a love of reading from an early age. She also led with kindness and acceptance, standing by the LGBTQ+ community and reminding people that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. She was no stranger to the Central Coast, from performing for sold-out crowds at the Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles to spending time over the years at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, which, with its one-of-a-kind style and vibrancy, seems like a pretty fitting place for Dolly. I’m pleased to join Sen. Grove and colleagues on both sides of the aisle in establishing 9-2-5 (Sept. 25) as Dolly Parton Day and celebrating a remarkable life that touched so many.”
Parton, who died Aug. 25 at age 80 following a brief battle with cancer, was known worldwide for her music career as well as her philanthropic work supporting children, education and literacy. Through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, high-quality books are mailed monthly to children from birth to age 5.
Grove previously worked with then-Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins to expand the Imagination Library statewide in California. The state also became one of the first in the nation to offer a bilingual English-Spanish book option through the program.
Monterey County recently joined the Imagination Library program. The local program, administered through First 5 Monterey County, provides free monthly books to eligible young children in the county, with families able to choose books in English or bilingual English-Spanish.
More than 182,000 California children are enrolled in the Imagination Library, with the program providing full coverage in 45 of the state’s 58 counties.
SB 931 now awaits action by Gov. Gavin Newsom. If signed into law, Sept. 25 would be recognized annually as Dolly Parton Day in California.
