Nashville International Airport may soon bear the name of the late Dolly Parton, under a proposal by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. The proposal, announced Friday, comes shortly after Parton’s passing from cancer at age 80.
Governor Lee remarked on the significance of naming the airport after Parton, a beloved figure in Tennessee. He emphasized that it would be an appropriate tribute to Parton’s legacy, known for her music, philanthropy, faith, and kindness.
The proposal aligns with an online petition that has garnered over 157,000 signatures as of Friday. The petition, advocating for the airport’s renaming, received increased support following Parton’s death. Notable endorsements include Tennessee state Rep. Todd Warner and musician Sheryl Crow.
The current Nashville International Airport celebrates its city’s country music heritage, featuring outposts of the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry, and offering live performances. This renaming would add to the airport’s musical theme.
Several American airports are already named after famous individuals, such as the President Donald J. Trump International Airport in Florida and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in Louisiana.
“She ascended from poverty in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains to become an icon whose appeal crossed generational, geographic, and political boundaries,” said Lee.
To proceed with the name change, the Metro Nashville Airport Authority would need to reconsider its current naming policy. Presently, it dictates that airport properties should only be named after individuals deceased for at least two years. Discussions on the proposal and policy are scheduled for the airport authority’s meeting on September 17.
Additional honors proposed for Parton in Tennessee include legislation by state Senator Jessie Seal to designate September 25 as “9 to 5 Day,” celebrating her famous song.