Tennessee Citizens Petition to Rename Nashville International Airport After Dolly Parton: ‘To Honor an Icon’
Folks behind the petition are encouraging the change so travelers ‘could all be Departin' from Parton!!”
Dolly Parton’s biggest Tennessee fans are petitioning to rename their airport, which is currently known as Nashville International Airport, the Dolly Parton International Airport in honor of the Tennessee native.
“As proud citizens of Tennessee, we are motivated by our deep-rooted admiration for the national treasure and Tennessee legend, Dolly Parton…” the Change.org petition—that has 51,000 votes and counting as of publication—reads. “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.”
Dolly Parton’s contributions to the state of Tennessee and beyond
Parton, who has been in the music industry since the 1960s and has delivered countless hits over the years, is a staple musician for Tennessee residents and country music listeners worldwide. She has released songs like “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” “Islands in the Stream” and “I Will Always Love You.”
But Parton isn’t only a hitmaker—she’s also a philanthropist. One of her most notable contributions to society is through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which has provided over 100 million books to children since it began in 1995. Parton’s mission with the Imagination Library was to honor her father, Robert Lee Parton, who was unable to read and write.
“He was the smartest man I have ever known but I know in my heart his inability to read probably kept him from fulfilling all of his dreams,” Dolly explained of her father.
In addition to her efforts with the Imagination Library, Parton has donated to relief funds such as the Hurricane Helene relief fund, which she gave $1 million of her own money to in 2024, as well as The Mountain Ways Foundation.
The petition adds, “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.”
Why change the Nashville airport’s name
The petition, started by Tennessee citizens Lydia Popovich & Dan Dion, states why Parton is so deserving of this change. Aside from her philanthropic efforts, Parton has been a country music legend and icon since her career began nearly six decades ago.
“She is not only a celebrated artist who encourages love, acceptance, and goodwill through her music, but also a philanthropist, known for her countless contributions to society,” it reads. “It is only fitting that an institution as significant as Nashville International Airport carries the name of such a remarkable woman.”
For those interested in signing, you can head to the online petition and learn more about the initiative. The petition also lists the decision makers who are potentially responsible for the change. These people include three members from the Tennessee House of Representatives—Fred Atchley, Todd Warner and Bob Freeman—as well as Governor Bill Lee and representative John Mark Windle.
The request adds, “Sign the petition to make this change a reality. We could all be Departin’ from Parton!!”
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