Olivia Hill

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.

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

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. Lavietes, Matt (2023-09-15). "Tennessee elects its first transgender lawmaker". NBC News. Retrieved 2023-09-25.
  2. Migdon, Brooke (2023-09-20). "Meet Olivia Hill, Tennessee's first openly transgender elected official". The Hill. Retrieved 2023-09-25.
  3. 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. Plazas, David (June 20, 2023). "Meet Olivia Hill, candidate for Nashville Metro Council At-Large". The Tennessean. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  5. Hale, Steven (2021-11-08). "Transgender Vandy Employee Sues Over Alleged Workplace Discrimination". Nashville Scene. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  6. 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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