Local leaders in Nashville, Tennessee, are weighing a proposal to rename Nashville International Airport in honor of the late Dolly Parton. The idea gained momentum after a Change.org petition, launched in January 2025, surged past 150,000 signatures following Parton’s death on August 25.
Petition drives community support
Petition organizers Lydia Popovich and Dan Dion, both Nashville residents, said the outpouring of signatures reflects the deep affection Tennesseans feel for Parton’s music and charitable work. “Since her passing, tens of thousands of additional supporters have visited and signed this petition,” they wrote in an August 25 update.
Comments on the petition highlighted Parton’s contributions beyond entertainment, noting her foundation’s aid after the 2016 Gatlinburg fire and other disaster relief efforts.
City officials signal backing
Metro Councilmember Russ Bradford announced he will sponsor a resolution urging the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority to consider the name change. “Few people have done more to define what this city means to the rest of the world,” Bradford said.
Republican State Representative Todd Warner, who previously introduced a bill to rename the airport after President Donald Trump before withdrawing it, expressed willingness to support a Parton dedication. “It will be one of the first bills that I file if someone doesn’t beat me to it in November,” Warner told reporters.
Policy hurdles remain
The airport authority follows a policy enacted in 2010 that bars renaming facilities after individuals until two years after their death. Since Parton passed away only three days ago, an exception would be required for the proposal to move forward.
Popovich and Dion remain hopeful that the airport authority will recognize Parton’s unique impact on the state and nation and make an exception to the existing rule.
What comes next?
The final decision rests with the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, which has acknowledged the petition but has not yet indicated a timeline for action. If the authority approves the change, the airport would become the first major U.S. transportation hub named for a cultural icon rather than a political figure.
Regardless of the outcome, the campaign underscores how deeply Parton’s legacy resonates with Tennesseans and how local civic engagement can shape the symbols that represent a community.
Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
