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An ordinance renaming the WeGo Central public transit station of the Metropolitan Transit Authority located at 400 Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Blvd. as the "Elizabeth Duff Transit Center at WeGo Central.”
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WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requires that in order to name a building or structure of the metropolitan government, an ordinance must be adopted by the metropolitan county council (Metro Code §13.26.010); and
WHEREAS, any ordinance filed seeking to name a building or structure under the operation or control of a board or commission of the metropolitan government shall have a recommendation of such board or commission prior to its adoption on second reading by the council (Metro Code §13.26.020); and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Transit Authority, seeks to rename WeGo Central transit station in honor of Elizabeth Duff, who was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, and broke gender and color barriers by becoming the first female and first African American female bus operator in Nashville when she was hired by the Metropolitan Transit Authority in April 1974; and
WHEREAS, proving that a woman could operate a city bus, Ms. Duff’s hire led to the employment of three more female drivers soon thereafter which led to the Metropolitan Transit Authority building its first bathrooms to accommodate female employees; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Duff, who passed away in 2021 with COVID-19 complications, served the Metropolitan Transit Authority for 33 years and in 2004, was named Urban Driver of the Year by the Tennessee Public Transportation Association in recognition of her attendance, cooperation, courtesy and safety record; and
WHEREAS, in 2018, she was recognized by the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1235 for her extraordinary service to the city of Nashville; and
WHEREAS, in 2021, her passing was noted nationally in stories reported by “The New York Times” and the NBC News Sunday Today show; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the WeGo Central transit station be renamed in honor of Ms. Duff, who in her own distinct and unique roles, helped to advance equality through the backdrop of public transportation; and
WHEREAS, the Board of the Metropolitan Transit Authority unanimously recommends to the Metropolitan Council of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County the adoption of an ordinance renaming WeGo Central transit station in honor of Elizabeth Duff.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the Central public transit station of the Metropolitan Transit Authority MTA at 400 Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Blvd. be renamed as the "Elizabeth Duff Transit Center at WeGo Central.”
Section 2. The biographical information for Elizabeth Duff is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit A in accordance with Section 13.26.020 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws.
Section 3. This Ordinance shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.
Agenda Analysis
Analysis
This ordinance renames the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) public transit station located at 400 Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard as the “Elizabeth Duff Transit Center at WeGo Central”.
Ms. Elizabeth Duff was the first female and first Africa American female bus operator in Nashville. Born and raised in Nashville, Ms. Duff was hired by MTA in 1974 and paved the way for additional female bus drivers soon after. She served MTA for 33 years and was named Urban Driver of the Year by the Tennessee Public Transportation Association. In 2018, she was recognized by the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1235 for her extraordinary service to the city of Nashville. Ms. Duff passed away in 2021 with COVID-19 complications. The Board of the Metropolitan Transit Authority unanimously recommends renaming the WeGo Central transit station in honor of Ms. Duff.
Section 13.26.010 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws provides that no building or structure of the Metropolitan Government may be named except pursuant to an ordinance duly adopted by the Metropolitan Council.