PERFECTLY Austin ISD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Elizalde gives her all to serve her community and the children growing up in it. BY CY WHITE PHOTOS BY ANNIE RAY STYLING BY PARKE BALLANTINE WITH INSPIRATION FROM THE GARDEN ROOM BOUTIQUE AND NORDSTROM DOMAIN. MAKEUP BY JACKELINE LARA. HAIR BY GUADALUPE SANTAMARIA. SHOT ON LOCATION AT EASTSIDE EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL.
No one ever tells a hurricane to behave. When the powers that be tried to make her step in line, Dr. Stephanie Elizalde, Austin ISD’s superintendent, refused to sit quietly. With the audacity of a winter storm in Texas, she made her stance clear to Time magazine and the world on Aug. 15 of last year: “I cannot live with a tragedy occurring because I was afraid of the possible consequences…That is just not something I’m willing to take the chance on. I realize, of course, that…may mean that we will be fined for requiring masks. I’d rather pay money than risk a child’s life.” Many in her position would do all they can to stay under the radar. Do what they’re told in order to maintain the facade of “normality” for the status quo. But Elizalde is made of sterner stuff. A third-generation educator, she comes from a long line of people refusing to be put in boxes. She grew up understanding that she was meant for greatness in the face of even greater opposition, and with that greatness came a responsibility to invest in the community, to be a blessing to those for whom blessings are few and far between.
46 | AUSTIN WOMAN | MARCH 2022
