Have you heard about the petition to honor Dolly Parton in the form of renaming an international airport?
Well, it's something that's been gaining a lot of traction recently. Although it was ultimately something she wasn't keen to have when she was alive, her tragic passing reignited passion for the renaming of Nashville International in her honor.
We reported about that surge of support when it happened around the end of August. The organizers of the petition explained, "The outpouring of support has reinvigorated our mission—to rename the Nashville International Airport to Dolly Parton International Airport."
And now, as reported by People, the renaming is one big step closer to being reality.
That's because the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority has voted to begin the renaming process. The vote was unanimous, too, with all 6 board members voting for the measure on September 11.
The vote itself was to change the naming policy. Beforehand, there had to be two years in between a person's death and their posthumous naming of a place in their honor.
But now that's been reversed, the doors are wide open for Dolly Parton International to become real. Of course, this isn't without a lot more bureaucratic tape—even the board themselves recognize this. They said it was "the first step in a multifaceted process."
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It Might Not Be Named "Dolly Parton International"
Of course, even the naming convention is still up in the air right now. A press release from Nashville International Airport explained, "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 governor's office supports this measure, meaning that it hopefully will be put into force more quickly. On August 28, Bill Lee wrote, "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."
We hope that this gets passed through soon! Who else just can't wait to be flying through Dolly Parton International?
