Amelia Parker

Amelia, a Knoxville City Councilwoman, was born in eastern Kentucky, an area known for its coal mining industry. In the early 80s, her family moved to Knoxville when her mother secured a job at Baptist Hospital, where she remained employed until its closure in the early 2000s.

Carrying a strong academic background, Amelia obtained her bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, majoring in Comparative Studies of Race and Ethnicity. She furthered her education by completing two law degrees at American University Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C., specializing in international human rights law. With more than two decades of experience in the field, Amelia has dedicated her career to the cause of human rights, working domestically as well as internationally.

From 2009 to 2013, she served as the executive director of Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment (SOCM), a non-profit organization focused on community organizing in Tennessee. In 2014, Amelia joined Peace Brigades International-USA as their Executive Director, further amplifying her commitment to human rights advocacy. In 2019, she was elected to the Knoxville City Council, where she has made valuable contributions to her community. Currently, Amelia is running for re-election to a second term on the council, aiming to continue her impactful work for the betterment of Knoxville.