Nena's Sacrifice: Protecting A.B.

Please meet the fantastic Nereyda and A.B. Hernandez.

Nereyda is a single mom who supports her family and community out in the Inland Empire. A.B. is her daughter. If their names sound familiar, it’s probably because you’ve read about A.B.’s determination, grace under fire, and talent as she competed in high school track this year.

AB is a transgender kid and athlete who became the focus of a nationwide harassment campaign.

https://capitalandmain.com/grace-under-fire-transgender-student-athlete-ab-hernandezs-winning-weekend

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-05-31/transgender-track-athlete-targeted-by-trump-competes-in-state-finals-amid-protests

Over the past eight months, far-right figures came out of the woodwork to attack, physically threaten, and harass A.B., even showing up to her track meets. https://capitalandmain.com/a-league-of-her-own-transgender-athlete-ab-hernandez-faces-down-hecklers

Politicians ranging from Charlie Kirk to extremist Sonja Shaw to Donald Trump whipped up hatred towards trans people by invoking AB’s name.

Throughout it all, A.B. kept competing.

And throughout it all, Nereyda supported her child.

Nereyda dropped everything she was doing to ensure her daughter was safe at track meets, even as death threats piled up and random strangers started showing up to stadiums to film and harass her kid.

Ensuring A.B. was safe became Nereyda's full-time job. Protecting A.B. meant taking time away from her own small business, leading to a loss of income.

The harassment campaign against A.B. began in October 2024 and has lasted eight months.

Nereyda is just now getting back to her daily life, and expenses have accumulated.

Nereyda is known in her community for helping those in need. As an L.D.A/Notary, she offers her skills free of charge to families who need extra help.

Our goal is to raise money to help Nereyda cover bills and make up for the work hours she lost while ensuring her daughter’s safety.

As Nereyda told the LA Times: “To every young person watching, especially those who feel unseen or unheard, let AB be your reminder that authenticity, courage, and resilience shine BRIGHTER than hate,” she said. “It won’t be easy, but definitely worth it.”