Angelo State Presents Lonestar Lecture Series

In her presentation, LaGrone will explore gender, race and sexuality in early 20th century Texas with an emphasis on the Texas-Mexico border. She will also examine women's minimum wage legislation in Texas (1919-21) and how such laws connected low wages to sex work.

Also the public history director at Weber State, LaGrone specializes in public history, women and gender, the borderlands and labor studies. Her research examines state legislation and the discourse on minimum wages for women, specifically the connections of sex work with low wages. Her current book project, "A Woman's Worth: How Race and Respectability Politics Influenced Minimum Wage Policies," demonstrates that the politics around race and the minimum wage for women drove conversations among labor, politicians, and progressive reformers about the future of white supremacy in Texas.

In addition to her book project, LaGrone has contributed an essay to the anthology, "Impeached: The Removal of Texas Governor James E. Ferguson," as well as scholarly articles to The Washington Post, NursingClio, and Texas Monthly. She has also worked on several public history projects, including "The Civil War Documentary," "Civil Rights in Black and Brown," and the Texas State Historical Association's "Handbook of Texas Women." She holds a Ph.D. in history from Texas Christian University.

The Lone Star Lecture Series annually hosts outside scholars of Texas history to deliver a keynote address coinciding with the anniversary of Texas Independence in March. It is supported by ASU's Dorsey B. Hardeman Endowed Chair in History.