In a move that highlights Tennessee pride and the legacy of one of its most beloved daughters, Governor Bill Lee announced his support for renaming Nashville International Airport after Dolly Parton. The governor’s endorsement came Friday, alongside the chief executive of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, as the authority prepares to discuss the proposal at its September 17 meeting.
Petition gains momentum after Parton’s death
The campaign to honor the late country‑music icon began in January 2025, when fans launched an online petition urging officials to rename the airport. Following Parton’s passing on Tuesday at age 80, the petition saw a surge of support, reaching more than 155,000 signatures by Friday.
First woman to have a major airport named for her
Should the name change be approved, Nashville International Airport would become the first of America’s 50 busiest airports to bear the name of a woman. Currently, most U.S. airports named for individuals honor men, with a few exceptions such as Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock and Amelia Earhart Memorial Airport in Kansas.
Governor Lee’s statement
“At a place where Tennessee welcomes the world, it is fitting that Nashville International Airport would bear the name of our state’s favorite daughter and greet travelers with the enduring legacy of Dolly’s music, generosity, faith, and kindness,” Lee said in an official statement. He added that he has already spoken with representatives of the Parton family about the proposal.
Policy considerations
The airport authority’s naming policy traditionally requires that an individual be deceased for at least two years before a facility can be named in their honor. The governor’s office indicated that this policy, as well as the naming proposal, will be reviewed at the upcoming board meeting.
Parton’s lasting impact
Born in poverty in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Dolly Parton rose to become a cultural icon whose music and philanthropy crossed generational, geographic, and political lines. In addition to timeless hits like “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You,” she appeared in films such as “9 to 5” and “Steel Magnolias.” Her Imagination Library, which provides free books to children, has already touched millions of families.
Other airports named for celebrities
Parton would join a select group of airports named for famous figures, including Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky, John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, renamed in 2001.
The discussion at the September 17 meeting will determine whether the airport authority will amend its naming policy and move forward with the tribute to Dolly Parton, a figure whose faith, generosity, and artistic legacy continue to inspire both Tennesseans and the nation.
Original reporting: WTVQ (Lexington) — read the source article.
