Establishes September twenty-fifth of each year as a day of commemoration to be known as "9 to 5 Day"

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Erik Bottcher says this is needed

Dolly Parton was a beloved singer, songwriter, actress, and philanthro- pist whose extraordinary career touched millions of lives around the world. Although Tennessee was always her home, Parton also had deep ties to New York. She lived in New York City during important periods of her career, worked extensively here, and left an enduring mark on the state's cultural landscape, including on Broadway. Over a legendary career spanning six decades, Parton wrote more than 3,000 songs, including timeless classics such as "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You." Beyond her artistic achievements, she made an extraor- dinary contribution to early childhood literacy through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. This transformative initiative provides free, high- quality books to children from birth until age five, benefiting millions of children around the world and currently serving more than 50,000 children across New York State. Parton also used her enormous platform to support marginalized communities, including the LGBTQ+ community, advocating for marriage equality and transgender rights long before such positions became mainstream. In 1980, Parton wrote and performed her seminal hit song "9 to 5" for the landmark film of the same name. The song quickly became an enduring anthem for working people, particularly women fighting for equality, dignity, and respect in the workplace. Its message of worker solidarity and empowerment has resonated across generations. Parton's celebration of working people later came to the Broadway stage when 9 to 5: The Musical, featuring music and lyrics by Parton, opened at Manhattan's Marquis Theatre in 2009, earning her a Tony Award nomination for Best Original Score. Dolly Parton was a cultural icon whose music, generosity, and spirit brought love and joy to generations. Designating September 25, or 9/25, as "9 to 5 Day" would provide New Yorkers with an annual opportunity to honor her extraordinary life and legacy while celebrating the values embodied in her work: dignity and respect for working people, literacy and opportunity for children, and acceptance of all people.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.