Pour yourself a cup of ambition—it's Dolly Parton Day. Across the world, communities are dedicating Friday to honoring the beloved country singer. The day falls on Sept. 25, a wink at Parton's hit song "9 to 5," per the AP. Parton, who died of cancer last month at age 80, built an impressive legacy over the decades as a singer-songwriter, actor, philanthropist, and entrepreneur, leaving big and small ways to honor the icon. Whether it's dusting off your rhinestones, donating a book, or throwing back a pink-themed cocktail, here's how you can pay tribute:
- Join a celebration: In the US, a growing number of state and local leaders are establishing Sept. 25 as an annual Dolly Parton Day. The proclamations highlight Parton's successful career and stress her lifelong commitment to promoting literacy. In Nashville, where Parton had lived since she was 18, the city will honor the singer with pink lights and posters and give away stickers, buttons, and bookmarks. In New Orleans, the marching group Krewe of Dolly will lead a parade through the city's French Quarter to honor Parton.
And in San Francisco, organizers are planning a public event in the heart of the city called "Dolly Day," designed to be a celebration of life that will include "singing loud, dressing up, and being a little kinder than usual in her honor." Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines announced it would hold a Parton-inspired karaoke on Friday for travelers and employees. - Donate a book to Imagination Library: Parton made it her mission to improve literacy through her Imagination Library book giveaway program. The program has quickly expanded, resulting in more than a million books sent out each month to children in the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia. The Imagination Library is encouraging the public to give directly to their local Imagination Library partner, or help to establish a new program in their community. Don't know where to start? The Dollywood Foundation is directing people to ImaginationLibrary.com, where a ZIP code search can find nearby programs.
- Get inspired by Parton's style and songs: The Queen of Country was known for her over-the-top style, proudly wearing sequins with big hair and plenty of fringe in her signature color pink. Dig into your closet and throw on something extra flashy, shiny, or sparkly. Of course, there's no easier way to celebrate Parton than by playing one of her many albums throughout the day. Known for her hits "9 to 5," "Jolene," and "I Will Always Love You," Parton's catalog runs deep, and there's always room to discover new favorites.
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