Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, and Vanderbilt University-New York City Host Dolly Parton Appreciation Day Celebration
NEW YORK, NY – Today, Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, and Vanderbilt University-New York City hosted a community celebration in honor of “Dolly Parton Appreciation Day.”
The celebration featured a book giveaway to dozens of P.S. 11 pre-K students courtesy of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and NYC Public Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels, performances by a Local 802 Dolly Parton Tribute Band, and reflections on Dolly Parton’s extraordinary contributions to humanity by BP Hoylman-Sigal, Senator Erik Bottcher, Assemblymember Tony Simone, Assemblymember Micah Lasher, and Council Member Carl Wilson.
Vanderbilt University also announced a landmark commitment to provide 925 Manhattan pre-K students with books for an entire year.
On September 2nd, Manhattan BP Hoylman-Sigal proclaimed September 25, 2026 “Dolly Parton Appreciation Day” in the Borough of Manhattan. 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.
Beyond her remarkable contributions to music, Dolly Parton devoted her life to advancing literacy, education, and public health. Her Imagination Library has gifted more than 300 million books to children around the world, and her philanthropy helped fund the life-saving development of Covid-19 vaccines.
Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal said: “Today, we not only celebrated Dolly Parton’s extraordinary contributions to American society, childhood literacy, and vaccine research – we recommitted ourselves to carrying forward Dolly’s legacy and building a better world for generations of Manhattanites to come. I’m delighted that leaders from across New York City government, civic life, and our community came together to celebrate Dolly’s legacy, sing her most iconic anthems, and remember some of her greatest contributions to humanity: the over 300 million books she’s donated to more than 3 million children across the globe. I’m deeply grateful to Vanderbilt University-New York City and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for helping to make today’s celebration a success, and to Chancellor Samuels and my elected colleagues for joining us to honor and celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of Dolly Parton.”
NYC Public Schools Chancellor Kamar H. Samuels said: “It was an honor to join Borough President Hoylman-Sigal in celebrating Dolly Parton’s life and legacy, and to carry forward her commitment to literacy by reading with our students. As Chancellor, I share Dolly’s belief that we should ‘dream big dreams and learn everything you can learn.’ I am grateful to our partners for their generous donation of more than 100 books and for helping us inspire a lifelong love of reading in our youngest learners.”
Dollywood Foundation Vice Chair and President Jeff Conyers said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Manhattan Borough for honoring Dolly with Dolly Parton Appreciation Day. Dolly had a remarkable ability to bring people together through her music, her generosity, and the joy she shared so freely with the world. To see her life and legacy celebrated in the heart of New York City is a meaningful tribute, and one I know would have made her very proud.”
Vanderbilt University-New York City Assistant Vice Chancellor and Executive Director James Kellerhouse said: “Where you come from should never limit where you can go. Dolly Parton’s commitment to literacy, education and opening doors for young people reflects values we share deeply at Vanderbilt. We are proud that Vanderbilt University–New York City can support the Imagination Library and help provide 925 children with books for an entire year—investing in their curiosity, confidence and potential.”
State Senator Erik Bottcher said: “Dolly Parton brought joy to generations, but her greatest legacy may be the kindness, generosity and love of learning she shared with millions of people. I’m proud to join Borough President Hoylman-Sigal in celebrating Dolly Parton Appreciation Day today. I hope this won’t be the last time either, as Senator Jeremy Cooney and I have introduced legislation to make September 25 as ‘9 to 5 Day’ across New York State so we can celebrate her extraordinary legacy every year. And after today’s rendition of ‘Coat of Many Colors,’ I think we can safely say Dolly is still inspiring people to pick up a guitar and have a little fun. We will always love you, Dolly.”
State Senator Jeremy Cooney said: “Dolly Parton’s legacy extends far beyond her musical contributions; it’s also one of compassion, philanthropy, and unity. Celebrating Dolly Parton Appreciation Day on September 25th is about honoring her impact and the millions of lives she has touched. Her work founding the Imagination Library has strengthened our shared efforts to support childhood literacy and brought the joy of reading to thousands of Rochester families. I will continue to push for this program’s statewide expansion, and am grateful to Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal for declaring this iconic day.”
Assemblymember Tony Simone said: “Dolly Parton understood that giving a child a book is about giving them more than something to read, it’s giving them a chance to imagine a bigger future for themselves. Her Imagination Library has opened that door for hundreds of millions of children, making sure that a child’s zip code or family income doesn’t determine whether they have books of their own. We’re proud to celebrate Dolly’s extraordinary legacy and the simple, powerful idea at its heart: every child deserves the opportunity to dream, learn, and discover what’s possible.”
Assemblymember Micah Lasher said: “Dolly Parton brought so many people all across the world so much joy based on the most basic idea that every single human being is beautiful, and special, and deserves to be celebrated. That is what the Imagination Library is all about, and what this program is all about. I am so grateful to Borough President Hoylman-Sigal, to Vanderbilt University, and to the Imagination Library for giving us a day where we can be uplifted and overjoyed. Dolly’s legacy lives on.”
Council Member Carl Wilson said: “Dolly Parton’s story is one of resilience and giving back. She lifted up working people and gave the youth a chance to dream big. That message feels at home here in Manhattan, where generations of working families, artists, performers, and educators have built a community that keeps New York moving. From Broadway to our public schools, Dolly’s legacy of creativity, opportunity, and service resonates deeply on the West Side. I’m beyond proud to celebrate Dolly and her extraordinary legacy.”
AFM Local 802 President and Executive Director Dan Point said: “Dolly Parton has spent her career proving that a working musician can change lives far beyond the stage, from ‘9 to 5’ giving voice to working women to the Imagination Library putting more than 250 million books into the hands of children. She is a songwriter, a performer, and a union member who has never forgotten where she came from, and that is exactly the kind of artist we celebrate every day at Local 802. On behalf of the musicians of New York, thank you to Borough President Hoylman-Sigal for giving Dolly the recognition she has earned.”
###
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
