Dolly Parton is getting her own day in California — and it’s just days away.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation that establishes Sept. 25 as Dolly Parton Day. The date was chosen for how its numerical form, 9/25, reflects her iconic song and the movie of the same name “9 to 5.”
The “Queen of Country” and philanthropist died at age 80 in August. The news unleashed an outpouring of love from celebrities, public figures and Americans nationwide for a woman whose humor, wit, charm and talent touched generations.
“We could all afford to live a little more like Dolly,” Newsom said, explaining that this bill is not just a day to celebrate Parton but to create “an annual reminder to us, every year, to live the way she did — joyfully, graciously, and
with a whole lot of heart.”
The bill was authored by state Sen. Shannon Grove and state Sen. John Laird. Ohio and counties in Tennessee and Texas have established Sept. 25 as a day to honor Parton as well.
In 2023, Parton’s Imagination Library program expanded to all counties in California so that all children under five are eligible to get a free book in the mail every month.
Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at pbarraza@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Live the way she did.' Newsom makes Dolly Parton Day official
