Olivia Hill has made Tennessee history for the second time in three years, becoming the first openly transgender person elected president pro tempore of Nashville’s Metropolitan Council and the highest-ranking openly transgender government official in the state’s history.
Hill, an at-large member of the 40-member Metro Council, was elected to the leadership position Tuesday, Sept. 1. Councilmember Russ Bradford nominated Hill, who faced fellow Councilmember Jeff Preptit for the position. Her term as president pro tempore runs through Aug. 31, 2027.
The position is more than ceremonial. As president pro tempore, Hill will preside over the Metro Council whenever Nashville Vice Mayor Angie Henderson is absent. If the vice mayor’s office becomes vacant, Hill would assume its presiding responsibilities until a successor is selected.
“I’m still trying to take it all in,” Hill wrote following the vote.
Hill reflected on entering the council three years ago, knowing she was different from many of her colleagues, while arguing those differences did not have to prevent members from working together.
“I also knew that titles, labels, political parties, and differences didn’t have to determine whether we could respect one another, work together, and become friends,” Hill said.
Making History Twice
Hill’s latest achievement builds on another Tennessee first.
In September 2023, Nashville voters elected Hill to one of the Metro Council’s five at-large seats, making her the first openly transgender person ever elected to public office in Tennessee.
A Nashville native, Hill previously served for 10 years in the U.S. Navy’s engineering division before beginning a career at Vanderbilt University, where she worked for more than 25 years. Her jobs included work as an electrician, plumber, and boiler specialist before she moved into supervisory and management roles.
Hill transitioned while working at Vanderbilt and later filed a federal employment discrimination lawsuit alleging she experienced severe harassment following her transition. The dispute was ultimately settled in 2022.
Her political rise is particularly notable given Tennessee’s position at the center of the national battle over transgender rights.
Over the past several years, Tennessee lawmakers have enacted restrictions affecting transgender health care, public accommodations, and other areas of daily life. Hill’s elevation therefore creates a striking contrast: while state lawmakers continue debating how much freedom transgender Tennesseans should have; Nashville lawmakers just selected a transgender woman to help lead their legislative body.
Hill emphasized that her approach to the new position will remain focused on public service rather than labels.
She said every council member entered the chamber because Nashville residents trusted them to serve.
For Tennessee’s transgender community, however, the symbolism is difficult to ignore.
Three years ago, Tennessee had never elected an openly transgender person to public office.
Now one is sitting near the top of the government of its capital city.
