Nashville Political Pioneer Betty Nixon Dies

NASHVILLE, TN — Betty Nixon, a woman of many firsts in Nashville and Tennessee politics, died at her home Sunday. She was 80.

Mrs. Nixon represented the Vanderbilt and Belmont areas on the Metro Council from 1975 to 1987 and during that time became the first woman to chair the powerful Budget and Finance Committee.

She was the first woman to run for Metro mayor in 1991, losing to Phil Bredesen, whose campaign coffers dwarfed that of the long-time progressive neighborhood advocate.

“Betty Nixon was an amazing woman, leader, and friend who taught our city a lot of lessons about public service, the importance of neighborhoods and the power of women," Mayor Megan Barry said in a statement.
“She was truly a unique personality who had the ability to captivate a room with her wit and wisdom. Those of us who were fortunate to call Betty a friend are better off because of it, along with countless others who never had the chance to meet her but have benefited because of her passion and commitment to a better Nashville for all. Betty helped launch the neighborhoods movement in Nashville with her work to preserve the residential character of historic communities in the urban core, and she set a great example for women who had never previously thought about running for public office but now realized they could bring something new to civic leadership.
“My thoughts and prayers are with her friends and family during this time.”

Mrs. Nixon stayed engaged with local politics even after the leaving the council, frequently penning guest columns for the Nashville Scene and even speaking during public comment periods about planning and zoning issues that effected her neighborhood.

Mrs. Nixon’s husband Henry Clark died in 2010. Arrangements are pending.