AUSTIN, TEXAS --

Dr. Eloisa Tamez, an assistant professor and program director of the Master of Science in Nursing Program at The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College, received the Henry B. Gonzalez Civil Rights Award on Friday, Oct. 3, for her work in fighting the federal government to keep a border fence from dividing family land.

The Texas Civil Rights Project honored Tamez at the 18th annual Bill of Rights Dinner at The University of Texas Alumni Center in Austin. The evening's theme was "Civil Rights In The Arts" and featured jazz and rock music and a theatrical performance. The award Tamez received is named for Henry B. Gonzalez, a San Antonio native who went on to be a member of San Antonio City Council, the Texas Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.

"I am humbled that you place in me such high regard and promise you that I will do everything I can to continue high ideas and standards," Tamez said.

Tamez's property in La Calaboz, west of Brownsville, is in the federal government's plans to build a border wall to tighten America's security. The three acres she has fought for was part of the original 12,000 acres that was given to her family through Spanish land grants.

"I like the quietness," she said. "When I was living there, I would walk on the levee. You hear the wildlife, the quiet. It's just my land -- I don't want anyone to mess it up."

She has received attention worldwide through media outlets like National Public Radio and The Washington Post for standing up to the federal government. She said the border wall issue has been an intriguing topic in the media because people are not accustomed to the United States building walls, but rather democracy.

"I speak for my neighbors, relatives, the elderly farmers, the elderly couples, the families that are being relocated as we speak and are afraid to speak out, all living in the path of the proposed border wall," Tamez said.

She told the audience of 250 people before the award presentation that the border fence was "the greatest assault of our times."

"I ask you to join me and stand with me so that together, we can show all other Americans the significance of preserving our Constitution, democracy and the United States of America," Tamez said.

Tamez's relatives -- daughters ReBeca Drury of San Antonio and Tina Araujo of Houston, son-in-law Rick Drury of San Antonio and grandson Brandon LaLanne of College Station - attended the banquet.

"I wasn't surprised," ReBeca Drury said about her mother challenging the government. "It's just par for the course for her. It's that part of her personality and conviction to her beliefs."