Olivia Hill Explained

Olivia Hill
Office:At-Large Member of the
Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County
Term Start:September 2023
Children:2
Allegiance:United States
Branch:United States Navy
Battles:Gulf War
Serviceyears:1986–1995

Olivia Hill (born) 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 .[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.[4]

Career

Hill was an engineer in the United States Navy from 1986 to 1995. She saw combat in the Gulf War.

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. She eventually served as a senior supervisor and acting manager of the self-contained power plant. She transitioned in 2019. 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. 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. The lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed sum in 2022.

Hill is an LGBTQ rights advocate and served on the board of directors of the Tennessee Pride Chamber. She entered politics after being encouraged by Danica Roem at a Washington D.C. gala. 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.[8] She is the first transgender lawmaker elected in Tennessee.

Personal life

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

See also

Notes and References

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