Manhattan officials have moved to permanently enshrine the legacy of country music legend Dolly Parton by designating a day in her honor following her death at age 80.
According to One America News, Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal announced that September 25th will now be recognized locally as Dolly Parton Appreciation Day, a symbolic nod to her classic working-woman anthem 9 to 5. The Democrat politician revealed the move on his Threads account, writing, I am officially declaring 9/25 (9 to 5) as Dolly Parton Appreciation Day in the Borough of Manhattan, alongside an image of the formal proclamation.
The document, which ties the date directly to the songs 9-2-5 reference, frames the tribute as part of a broader effort to celebrate civic and cultural contributions. We are proud to acknowledge those organizations and individuals that are committed to improving our city and enriching the community, the proclamation states, casting Parton as a model public figure whose influence extends beyond entertainment.
The text highlights Partons rise from poverty and her long record of philanthropy, noting she was born and raised in Tennessee, Dolly Parton rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most celebrated artists in American history, earning recognition for timeless songs, groundbreaking performances, and her distinctive voice and spirit, and further, beyond her remarkable contributions to music and entertainment, Dolly Parton has devoted herself to literacy, education, children, and communities through initiatives including the Imagination Library, which has provided millions of free books to children around the world. Manhattans leadership says the borough seeks to honor Dollys extraordinary life as well as her talent, kindness, and humanitarian spirit.
The local move could soon be echoed statewide, as legislators in Albany have introduced a bill to establish a similar observance across New York. State Senator Erik Bottcher, a Manhattan Democrat and one of the bills sponsors, praised Partons broad cultural and political impact, saying, She brought joy to millions, stood up for working people, championed the LGBTQ community and womens empowerment, gave millions of children the gift of reading, and did it all with an extraordinary spirit of kindness and generosity.
State Senator Jeremy Cooney, another Democrat who has previously pushed for state funding of Partons Imagination Library, also endorsed the proposed holiday. Dollys impact extends far beyond her musical talent, with her Imagination Library providing free monthly books to over 170,000 children in New York, supporting childhood literacy and bringing joy to families, Cooney said, underscoring how one artists private initiative has done more for reading and opportunity than many government programs, and illustrating why so many Americans across the political spectrum see Partons life as a testament to faith, hard work, and generosity.
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