Stroud was born in McAllen, Texas, a city roughly ten miles north of the Mexican city of Reynosa, on January 24, 1981.[1] During her childhood, she and her family would cross the border into Mexico at various times to shop and dine and often encountered extreme poverty among the populace in both the United States and Mexico.[2][3] In her youth, she attended McAllen High School, graduating in 1999.[1] For the next four years, she attended Southwestern University, where she got a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and gender studies, graduating in 2003. For the next 9 years, she attended the University of Texas at Austin, earning a M.A. in sociology in 2006 and a PhD in sociology in 2012.[1]
While she was earning her PhD, Stroud tought as a professor of sociology at the University of Texas at Austin from 2008 until 2012.[1]
Following the completion of her PhD, Stroud moved to Ashland in 2012 and began teaching at Northland College.[4] At Northland, Stroud served as a professor of Sociology and Social Justice, where she taught courses including Sociology of Gender and Sexuality, Undoing Racism, Sociology of Community, Human Rights and Social Justice, and Introduction to Sociology.[3]
In the spring of 2024, Stroud was involved in efforts to prevent Northland College from shutting down. As part of these efforts, she proposed reductions in staff and the number of students, as well as renting out residential halls and office spaces.[5]
Stroud, along with eight other faculty members, was laid off in May, at the end of the 2023–2024 as part of an initial restructuring plan meant to keep Northland College open.[6]
Political career
Due to redistricting, the 73rd district's incumbent representative Angie Sapik announced she would not seek re-election in 2024, after which Stroud entered the race.[7][8] She faced a primary against John Adams, a member of the Washburn City Board and candidate for the 74th district in 2022.[9][10] During the campaign, Stroud ran on giving more public funding to Wisconsin public schools and supporting more environmental regulations, especially to combat PFAS contamination.[11][2] In the primary election, she won the Democratic nomination with 80% of the primary vote.[12] Stroud went on to win the general election, receiving about 58% of the vote against Republican Frank Kostka, a former Department Commander for the Wisconsin American Legion and member of the Wisconsin American Legion Board of Directors.[13][14][15]
Personal life and family
Stroud lives in Gingles, Wisconsin, with her partner Cynthia, her stepson, and their rescue dog Mae.[4] Stroud has four children and two grandchildren.[1]
Works
Essays
Good Guys with Guns: The Appeal and Consequences of Concealed Carry[16]
Book Review: Land, God, and Guns: Settler Colonialism and Masculinity in the American Heartland[16]
