Dr. Sonia Hernández, the George T. & Gladys H. Abell Professor of Liberal Arts II in the Department of History, is an internationally recognized historian whose research examines the intersections of gender, labor, and political economy in the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands. Born and raised in South Texas, Hernández has dedicated her career to documenting the experiences of women on both sides of the border, expanding understanding of one of the world’s most consequential border regions. Her scholarship, published in English and Spanish, has earned national and international acclaim.

Hernández has prioritized binational archival research and balanced historiographical approaches that examine both United States and Mexican histories to create transnational perspectives. Her work on women’s labor in the 19th and 20th centuries has earned her book prizes, NEH and Fulbright awards, and public history honors.

Beyond her scholarship, Hernández is past president of the Alliance for Texas History, current trustee of the Berkshire Conference of Women Historians, and co-founder of the public history non-profit Refusing to Forget, which brings attention to anti-Mexican violence in Texas and its continuing significance. A dedicated educator, she has
developed innovative interdisciplinary programs that connect humanities and STEM students through immersive learning experiences. She encourages her students to find hidden, but central stories and bring them to the fore to create new, provocative histories that can help address contemporary global challenges. Through her research, teaching, and public engagement, Hernández has both mentored scores of Aggie women and brought women’s voices to the forefront of scholarship on Texas, the borderlands, and U.S. history.