Petition to rename Nashville airport after Dolly Parton gains thousands of signatures

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Petition to rename Nashville airport after Dolly Parton gains thousands of signatures

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Nashville International Airport (BNA) | Official Website

By Sky Industry News

Mar 24, 2025

A grassroots effort to rename Nashville International Airport (BNA) after Dolly Parton gained significant momentum today, as a supporting petition reached 6,000 signatures. Many airports across the United States are named in honor of notable figures, such as John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York and Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY) in New Orleans.

There has been a push from Tennessee's legislature to rename the facility for some time now. A recent proposal to name the airport after President Donald Trump failed to gain much traction. Given Nashville's reputation as a hub for country music, naming the airport after a music icon seems fitting. This led two Tennessee natives, Dan Dion and Lydia Popovich, to launch an online petition advocating for Dolly Parton.

Airports are often named ceremonially for cultural icons or leaders with local ties. For instance, Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) was named after Edward Lawrence Logan, a South Boston native and war hero. The movement to rename Nashville Airport after Donald Trump struggled due to his lack of local impact.

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Dolly Parton is deeply connected to Middle Tennessee through her cultural contributions and extensive charitable work. According to Tennessee-based news outlet WSMV, Parton has spent years supporting various charitable causes and relief efforts, including vaccine research and providing free books to children worldwide.

The founders of the petition emphasized Parton's charitable history as a key reason for their initiative. In a statement to WSMV, Dion said: "She really represents the best of what Nashvillians and Tennesseans can be. "There is no other person that could bring us all together that makes us all feel proud."

Dolly Parton's commitment to charity and her historic ties to Middle Tennessee have earned her broad praise. She remains involved with many Christian church- sponsored efforts across the state.

The powerful petition serves as a call-to-action for authorities overseeing this decision.. If successful,, it would make Dolly Parton one of few women globally with major international airports named after them., highlighting gender equality progress within commercial aviation industry..

Popovich echoed this sentiment., stating that Dolly Parton''s barrier-breaking history makes her an excellent candidate lead such movement.. The bill proposing renaming airport President Trump was removed from consideration following rejection by state legislature committee on March18th..