Women’s Rights Advocate Riley Gaines Appointed To Sumner County Library Board 

Image Credit: @Riley_Gaines_ / X, Riley Gaines / Facebook & sumnercountytn.gov

The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –

Renowned athlete and women’s rights advocate Riley Gaines announced on Tuesday she will be serving as one of two new members of the Sumner County Library Board, sharing her excitement to serve her community despite pushback from some Republican elected officials.

The day prior to her appointment, Gaines drew attention to a board vacancies of several months which left the board at a stalemate with four conservatives and four nonconservatives, which could greatly impact a vote regarding policies to facilitate the removal of books which push transgender ideology. 

Gaines stated the board was waiting for chairman Joanna Daniels’ term to expire in November, as it would leave the board at seven members with a nonconservative majority who would never bring the policy to a vote. 

After her criticism, the Sumner County Commission overwhelmingly voted to keep the Library Board at nine members instead of the proposed seven and nominated Gaines to fill one of the board vacancies, per a Facebook post from Commissioner Jeremy Mansfield.

“Say hello to your newest Sumner County Library Board member! I’m honored to serve the community I grew up in and the one where we’ll raise our daughter. If you want to see change, don’t wait for someone else to make it happen. Step up and be that change yourself,” Gaines wrote in her announcement.

Following her appointment, Gaines shared an email sent to the County Commission from Meghan Breinig, a Republican Sumner County School Board Member, objecting to their decision and calling the move “thoughtless and politically motivated.” 

“Ms. Gaines has repeatedly demonstrated that she uses her platform on X as a weapon. She attacks members of our community with no regard for the truth, or for the safety of those she targets. Appointing someone who thrives on divisiveness to a position meant to serve all residents is both reckless and beneath the position of leadership you hold,” wrote Breinig.

Notably, Breinig is one of the Republicans on the school board pushing to revert to the term “Winter Break” instead of “Christmas Break” as she believes the mention of the Christian holiday is exclusionary and makes those who may not celebrate feel “invisible or unseen”.

But Gaines appears undeterred by Breinig’s hostility, saying her retort is an indication that Gaines’ appointment has made “all the right ‘Republicans’ mad.” She responded, “The only people damaging our county’s reputation are those like Meghan who protest our flag, try to remove God, and push harmful ideologies onto our children.” 

And numerous conservative elected officials have championed her appointment, including outgoing board chair Joanna Daniels who has been outspoken in her drive to adopt a library policy which would remove any materials with transgender or sexually explicit themes from the shelves.

“To have Riley Gaines to carry the torch is a huge honor to me. I’m blown away right now. If people thought I was loud, Riley Gaines is going to take this [and make it louder],” Daniels said to local media. “Riley and I have been talking a lot over the last two years. She is very well aware of the battle that I was up against. In this past year, I hope that I have opened up the eyes of the citizens of Sumner County.”

Sumner County Commissioner Tim Jones also congratulated Gaines, saying she will be “a strong advocate for Christian, conservative, traditional family values for our community.” He further stated that the ideologies being pushed by more progressive members of the commission cannot be supported or funded by tax dollars in any way.

The second appointee joining Gaines is Hendersonville business owner Steve Wasilowski. The new board is scheduled to meet on Nov. 12.

About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.