By Giulia Gutzwiller, Digital Communications Manager and Education Coordinator  

Ohioans will celebrate Dolly Parton Day this Friday, honoring the late country star’s legacy and highlighting her philanthropic efforts.  

A nod to her hit song “9 to 5,” Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel declared Sept. 25, 2026, as Dolly Parton Day, to recognize the icon’s impact on children’s education and literacy in Ohio.  

Parton founded the Imagination Library Program in 1995 to instill a love of reading in young children by gifting them with one free book each month until they turn five. In 31 years, the program has donated over 300 million books and expanded globally.  

The Imagination Library of Ohio has gifted 28 million books across all 88 counties since its establishment in 2019. Ohio leads the nation for program enrollment, as 70% of households with children under five currently participate.  

“I think her Imagination Library is amazing, and it has benefited a lot of children around the U.S. My brother just signed his daughter up for the program and she is only one month old,” senior psychology major and Ohio native Rebecca Brown said.  

In addition to the Imagination Library, Parton launched the Dollywood Foundation in 1988 to increase high school graduation rates and inspire teens to pursue higher education. Some of her other philanthropic contributions include donating to medical research, fundraising for natural disaster relief and covering employees’ education costs.  

Parton was awarded the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in 2022 to honor her decades-long commitment to helping her community. She also received the PEACE Through Music Award in 2024 for using her platform to promote unity and inclusion.  

“Dolly spread the values of kindness and generosity around the world, and her legacy will live on through the children who have benefited from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library,” Gov. DeWine stated in a post on X.  

Parton’s music career and charitable contributions alike have transcended generational barriers as she remains an influential and inspiring figure among today’s youth.  

“My daughter recognizes Dolly Parton’s picture on the back of her books, and so she knows that Dolly is the one helping to pay for these books and sending them out,” communication professor Dr. Ashley Hinck said. “She understands that this encourages literacy, and she loves Dolly Parton as a result. We have been listening to ‘9 to 5’ and ‘Jolene’ on the way to school every day.”  

In honor of Dolly Parton Day, many bars down at The Banks will host a celebration with Parton-themed activities, attire, drinks and music. Attendees are encouraged to support the Imagination Library of Cincinnati by donating new, age-appropriate children’s books.  

“People say, ‘Well, you’re going to be 80 years old.’ Well, so what? Look at all I have done in 80 years. I feel like I am just getting started,” Parton said in an interview last year, displaying the eternal optimism that never seemed to leave her. 

Friday marks one month since Parton’s passing, but her philanthropic legacy is just getting started.