Olivia Hill | |
---|---|
At-Large Member of the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County | |
Assumed office September 2023 | |
Personal details | |
Children | 2 |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1986–1995 |
Battles/wars | Gulf 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.
Hill was born in 1965or1966. [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]
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]
Hill married her high school sweetheart and had two children. [3] They are divorced. [3]