This fall, the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque will host a new opera that brings to life the indelible legacy of Dolores Huerta, one of the most influential labor and civil rights leaders in American history. The production, titled Dolores, traces Huerta’s pivotal role in the farm workers’ movement of the 1960s, her tireless advocacy for justice, and her partnership with fellow icons like Cesar Chavez and Larry Itliong. It’s a story that resonates far beyond the stage, especially as the nation continues to debate how best to honor the contributions of figures like Huerta and Chavez.
According to KRQE, Dolores is the brainchild of New Mexican composer Nicolás Benavides and librettist Marella Martin Koch. The opera had its world premiere in Oakland, California, this August, and is now set for three performances in Albuquerque: October 26 at 2:00 PM, October 31 at 7:30 PM, and November 2 at 2:00 PM. The show is performed in English, with Spanish interspersed throughout, making it accessible to a broad audience. Benavides is adamant that opera newcomers are welcome. “So don’t be afraid if you’ve never been to a Mozart opera or a Beethoven opera. I hadn’t either when I got my start, and I think you could jump in right now and see this opera, and I would be overjoyed to welcome you,” he told KRQE.
The opera’s narrative plunges audiences into the tumultuous events of 1968, focusing on the Delano Grape Strike in California—a watershed moment in the farm labor movement. Huerta, alongside Cesar Chavez and Larry Itliong, fought to raise the profile of the United Farm Workers and secure basic rights for agricultural laborers. As Benavides explained, “The opera tells the story of her struggle along with Cesar Chávez and Larry Itliong to raise the profile of the United Farm Workers and earn them their rights in 1968 by getting the allyship of Bobby Kennedy.”
But Dolores is more than a history lesson. Benavides and Koch have crafted a work that stitches together the fragility and fever of a movement, painting a vivid picture of how Huerta helped build a unified front for underserved groups. “I hope that people don’t see this as a history lesson. I mean, it is historical, and it’s beautiful to revisit, but as an opportunity to think about what can we do today?” Benavides said, urging audiences to find contemporary relevance in Huerta’s story.
The opera’s arrival in Albuquerque is the result of a collaborative effort among Opera Southwest, West Edge Opera, and San Diego Opera, in partnership with the National Hispanic Cultural Center. The production’s commitment to accessibility—both in language and in spirit—reflects Huerta’s own approach to activism: inclusive, persistent, and deeply rooted in the lived experiences of ordinary people.
As the curtain rises on Dolores, the national conversation about how to honor the legacy of labor leaders like Huerta and Chavez is unfolding in other arenas as well. Just this summer, a different kind of tribute to Cesar Chavez—Huerta’s longtime collaborator—was at the center of a heated debate in Washington, D.C. The USNS Cesar Chavez, a United States Naval ship named for the famed labor leader, was facing the possibility of a new name as part of a broader review of military asset names.
According to reporting from the San Francisco Chronicle, the push to preserve the ship’s name came after Reps. Gil Cisneros and Sam Liccardo, both Democrats from California, sent a letter in July to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Their message was clear: the USNS Cesar Chavez meets the Department of Defense’s own criteria for naming military assets, which include considering historical context, recognizing national service, and minimizing cost. “In 1946, before becoming one of the most consequential labor leaders in American history, César Chavez enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 19 and was stationed in the Western Pacific. He served in a segregated unit, where he, like many Mexican American servicemembers, quietly endured discrimination—an experience that deepened his understanding of injustice and shaped his lifelong fight for dignity and equality,” the congressmen wrote.
Chavez’s journey from the Navy to the front lines of the labor movement is inextricably linked to Huerta’s. Together, they co-founded the National Farm Workers Union alongside Gilbert Padilla, a group that would later become the United Farm Workers Labor Union. Their efforts not only improved working conditions for farm laborers but also galvanized a broader movement for civil rights and social justice in America.
In its written response, the Department of Defense confirmed there are “no plans to rename USNS César Chavez.” For many, this was a victory not just for the Latino community, but for all Americans who value service and sacrifice. “Uplifting the life and legacy of César Chavez should not be a partisan issue,” Cisneros said in a statement. “I’m encouraged that Secretary Hegseth and the Department of Defense heard our concerns and will preserve the name of the USNS César Chavez. Mr. Chavez is an American hero who dedicated his life to our country, from the Navy to the labor movement. Sustaining his name on this ship is a powerful reminder of his enduring legacy and the inspiration he provides to all who serve.”
Liccardo echoed those sentiments, emphasizing the broader significance of the decision: “This is a win not only for the Latino community, and our veterans; it’s a win for all Americans who believe service, leadership, and sacrifice deserve honor, not erasure. César Chavez’s story and triumphant spirit reflect the best of America, and I am relieved to know his legacy will continue to inspire those who serve our nation.”
Yet, the debate over military asset names remains contentious. The effort to rename U.S. Navy vessels began in June 2025, when it was announced that the USNS Harvey Milk—a ship named for the Navy veteran and pioneering gay rights advocate—would be renamed the USNS Oscar V. Peterson, after a World War II hero. Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that the renaming under Secretary Hegseth “will help highlight the priorities of President Donald Trump.” Liccardo, in his statement, questioned the consistency of the criteria, asking, “This response raises questions of what defines ‘warrior ethos.’ I welcome a response from Secretary Hegseth on why Bay Area hero and civil rights icon Harvey Milk’s legacy won’t be preserved under the same criteria.”
Back in Albuquerque, as Dolores prepares for its run, the opera’s creators hope to spark reflection not only on the past but on the present and future. Benavides stressed the importance of telling stories that showcase Hispanic and Latino communities—not just as a way to bring history to light, but to demonstrate what ordinary people from any background can accomplish. The opera, he said, is “a truly American story about American heroism, and I will continue to say that because it’s true.”
Through both art and public debate, the legacies of Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez are being reexamined, celebrated, and—at times—contested. Whether on stage or at sea, their stories continue to challenge and inspire a nation grappling with its own ideals of justice, service, and remembrance.
