Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) is proud to announce that her measure, Senate Bill 931, proclaims 9-2-5, September 25, as Dolly Parton Day in California, a fitting tribute to a global icon, humanitarian, philanthropist, and dreamer whose extraordinary generosity and commitment to others have made a lasting impact on California and communities around the world.
“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,” said Senator Grove. “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.”
Joint authored by Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), SB 931 brings lawmakers together in celebration of Dolly Parton’s remarkable legacy of music, philanthropy and service to others.
“Dolly Parton brought joy to a lot of people, but her legacy goes well beyond her music,” said Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz). “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 Senator Grove and colleagues on both sides of the aisle in establishing 9-2-5 (September 25) as Dolly Parton Day and celebrating a remarkable life that touched so many.”
While Dolly Parton is known around the globe for her legendary music career, her legacy extends far beyond the stage. Through decades of philanthropic work, she has championed children, education and literacy, most notably through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which provides high-quality books to children from birth to age five delivered to their mailbox monthly.
Senator Grove was honored to work alongside then-Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins to bring the Imagination Library statewide in California, expanding access to books for young children and families regardless of income or background. California also became one of the first states in the nation to offer a bilingual English-Spanish book option, helping ensure even more families can experience the joy of reading together.
Today, more than 182,000 California children are enrolled in the Imagination Library, with the program providing full coverage in 45 of California’s 58 counties.
From her music and philanthropy to her unwavering belief in dreaming big and giving back, Dolly Parton has inspired generations. This September 25, California will proudly work “9 to 5” and celebrate Dolly all day long.