LOS ANGELES, Sept 25 — Cities and states across the United States celebrated the inaugural Dolly Parton Day today — 9/25 — a date recalling one of the late country icon’s most beloved hits.

Parton died last month at the age of 80, plunging fans into mourning for a singer-songwriter, philanthropist and businesswoman whom many saw as a unifying figure in a divided America.

California Governor Gavin Newsom this week established the day to encourage residents of America’s most populous state to take inspiration from the “9 to 5” singer, who starred alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the 1980 film of the same name.

The movie’s signature song, written and performed by Parton, became a workplace empowerment anthem.

“We could all afford to live a little more like Dolly. Be kind, be humble, and have some fun... Be a diamond in a rhinestone world,” Newsom said.

“With this bill, we are not just establishing a day to celebrate Dolly Parton, we are creating an annual reminder to us, every year, to live the way she did — joyfully, graciously, and with a whole lot of heart.”

Events across California included musical performances and giveaways in downtown Los Angeles, while Santa Monica was due to illuminate its 30-metre-tall Pacific Wheel in pink at sunset, displaying “DOLLY” and “WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU!” alongside hearts, stars and spiral animations.

The Los Angeles County Library also planned activities honouring Parton, whose literacy programme brought books to millions of underprivileged children.

Manhattan in New York proclaimed the date Dolly Parton Appreciation Day, while New Orleans designated Friday as Dolly Day, with community events also planned in Lexington, Kentucky, to celebrate her legacy and work to improve literacy.

In her home state of Tennessee, several counties proclaimed Dolly Parton Day alongside the statewide recognition already held on her January 19 birthday.

Parton rose from grinding poverty to become a rhinestone-studded country music legend with hits including “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You”.

She also starred in several films and donated millions of dollars to charity while building a business empire that included the Dollywood theme park in Tennessee, cosmetics, pet apparel, baking mixes and a truck stop. — AFP