District 87 school board president Elizabeth Fox Anvick wears many hats: She’s a tech professional, a wife, a mother – and one of Bloomington-Normal’s most visible LGBTQ+ advocates.
Her 2017 election to the board was historic, as the first openly gay candidate to win office in Bloomington.
Since then, she’s helped navigate the district through the COVID pandemic, and played a role in expansion of district facilities, among other advancements.
The State Farm administrator said giving back as a school board member is a natural fit. “Education is deep in my veins,” she said, noting her parents, her wife, and a brother-in-law have worked in the field.
But representation also has been key in this journey. She and her wife Caroline are the parents of two school-age daughters, and making sure her kids see their family counts is a priority.
She also wanted LGBTQ+ students in the community to know their voices count.
“Visibility matters, right?” said Fox Anvick. “I’ve had kiddos come up to me who just say, ‘Thanks for being on the board.’”
“When you can see yourself in a position where you want to be. There’s always goodness that comes from that,” she said.
Dave Bentlin, Prairie Pride Coalition executive board director, has known Fox Anvick, who is secretary of that board, and her family for decades.
Bentlin noted District 87's enrollment is among the state’s most diverse. As school board president, Fox Anvick embraces that, he said.
“I think she represents our LGBTQ+ community. But I think that she represents the interests of all of that various population that attends District 87 schools,” he said.
Bentlin calls Fox Anvick a renaissance woman, helping throughout the community.
“Elizabeth is just a no-nonsense person. I mean she looks at a situation and she sees what needs to be done, and she steps up and she does it,” he said.
One example is her integral role in fighting for same-sex marriage, which Illinois legalized in 2013, two years ahead of a landmark Supreme Court ruling. The Fox Anvicks also were the first same-sex married couple to be licensed foster parents in McLean County.
“It was couples like Elizabeth and Caroline that stepped up and said we deserve these same rights, we deserve the same access,” said Bentlin.
That’s what helped people in Bloomington-Normal and beyond see LGBTQ+ rights are part of our community’s fabric — from marriage equality to school board representation and beyond.
“She’s a role model in so many ways” and admired throughout Bloomington-Normal, Bentlin said. “She’s shown people you can live openly here, and not be afraid to do so,” he said.
