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Voices of San Antonio

Voices of San Antonio

Voices of San Antonio is a production of the San Antonio Public Library Foundation. It features interviews by Michael Garofalo with prominent San Antonians who have made an impact on the cultural landscape of the City.

Sponsored by the John and Florence Newman Foundation.

Coming soon...

  • Straus, David

In his own words - Elizondo, William

Dr. William Elizondo was born in Los Angeles but his family soon moved to San Antonio where they operated a grocery store on Nogalitos Street.  He graduated from Brackenridge High School in 1948 and joined the Marine Corps that same year, eventually serving in the Korean War, earning an Ambassador for Peace Medal and the Presidential Unit Award.  After the war, he headed to college, graduating cum laude from Southern California College of Optometry. 

Elizondo was named the National Health Director of LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) in 1963, the same year he was fortunate enough to meet President Kennedy.  He has gone on to serve on the Board of Trustees for the Hospital District and was a four-time president of the San Antonio Independent School District.  He has spent much of his life advocating for Latinos, quality education, and the belief that multilingual schools broadens children's horizons and gives them more of an opportunity to succeed.