Olivia Hill
At-Large Member of the
Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County
Assumed office
September 2023
Personal details
Children2
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Navy
Years of service1986–1995
Battles/warsGulf War

Olivia Hill (born 1965/1966) is an American politician and engineer serving as a member-at-large of the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County since 2023. She worked at Vanderbilt University for over 25 years including as the acting manager of its self-contained power plant. From 1986 to 1995, she served in the United States Navy during which time, she saw combat in the Gulf War.

Early life

Hill was born in 1965 or 1966.[1] She is from Nashville, Tennessee.[2] She is the great-granddaughter of Horace Greely Hill, founder of H.G. Hills Food Stores.[3] Hill graduated from Hillwood High School in 1983.[3][4]

Career

Hill was an engineer in the United States Navy from 1986 to 1995.[1][4] She saw combat in the Gulf War.[3]

Hill worked at the Vanderbilt University power plant for over 25 years in a number of positions including plumber, pipe-fitter, welder, high voltage electrician, diesel mechanic, jet-engine mechanic, and boiler specialist.[2][4] She eventually served as a senior supervisor and acting manager of the self-contained power plant.[1][4] She transitioned in 2019.[3] In December 2019, she filed a complaint with the university's equal employment opportunity office and was then on administrative leave.[5] Hill was represented by civil rights lawyer Abby Rubenfeld.[5] On September 29, 2021, she filed a lawsuit against the university alleging workplace discrimination.[6] Hill retired on December 27, 2021, the same day her case was closed.[6] The lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed sum in 2022.[3]

Hill is an LGBTQ rights advocate and served on the board of directors of the Tennessee Pride Chamber.[1] She entered politics after being encouraged by Danica Roem at a Washington D.C. gala.[3] In June 2023, Hill and Eric L. Cox, a health and wellness coach, served as the grand marshals of the Nashville Pride.[7] On September 14, 2023, Hill won 12.9 percent of the vote in an election for a nonpartisan member-at-large seat of the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County.[1][8] She is the first transgender lawmaker elected in Tennessee.[1]

Personal life

Hill married her high school sweetheart and had two children.[3] They are divorced.[3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Lavietes, Matt (2023-09-15). "Tennessee elects its first transgender lawmaker". NBC News. Retrieved 2023-09-25.
  2. 1 2 Migdon, Brooke (2023-09-20). "Meet Olivia Hill, Tennessee's first openly transgender elected official". The Hill. Retrieved 2023-09-25.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Wadhwani, Anita (2023-09-25). "Olivia Hill, Tennesssee's first transgender elected official: "My main goal is to just do my job."". Tennessee Lookout. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Plazas, David (June 20, 2023). "Meet Olivia Hill, candidate for Nashville Metro Council At-Large". The Tennessean. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  5. 1 2 Hale, Steven (2021-11-08). "Transgender Vandy Employee Sues Over Alleged Workplace Discrimination". Nashville Scene. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  6. 1 2 Perrotta, Rachael (2022-01-28). "Olivia Hill settles discrimination lawsuit with Vanderbilt, 'very pleased' with result". The Vanderbilt Hustler. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  7. ↑ Broderick, Kelly (2023-05-17). "Olivia Hill, Eric Cox announced as 2023 Nashville Pride Parade Grand Marshals". News Channel 5 Nashville (WTVF). Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  8. ↑ Wiggins, Christopher (September 25, 2023). "Tennessee's Olivia Hill May Have to Use Men's Restroom". Advocate. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
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