All six board members from the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority have voted to rename Nashville International Airport after Dolly Parton. The unanimous decision is the first step in the rebranding process, which will continue to unfold in the coming months, the MNAA said.
“While a final name has not yet been determined, we are working closely with the appropriate parties to thoughtfully determine how Dolly Parton’s name and legacy will be incorporated,” the MNAA said in a statement. “This vote represents the first step in a multifaceted process. In the coming months, we anticipate having more definitive plans to share regarding the next steps and implementation.”
The state of Tennessee first announced plans to rename the location after Parton died in late August. “Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state,” Gov. Bill Lee said in a statement at the time. “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.”
Officials hope the act of renaming Nashville International Airport in Parton’s honor will be a lasting tribute to the country legend. The decision came sooner than expected. The proposal wasn’t scheduled to be heard until Sept. 17.
“Dolly’s remarkable legacy reminds us that what makes Nashville special is our ability to welcome people from every walk of life. She understood that dignity, kindness and opportunity should never be defined by where you come from or your socioeconomic status,” said Doug Kreulen, president and CEO, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority.
More than a year before Parton’s death, two Tennessee natives launched a Change.org petition to rename Nashville International Airport after her. The petition has received an influx of signatures over the past two weeks.
“Dolly’s philanthropic efforts, her outstanding influence in the music industry, and the love she has instilled in our hearts through her actions and songs, truly make her a deserving candidate to have the Nashville International Airport named after her,” the original petition description read. “We request that the airport’s name be changed to Dolly Parton International Airport to honor an icon who has given so much to our state and to the world. Sign the petition to make this change a reality. We could all be Departin’ from Parton!!”