Annette Hubbell depicts historical figures in her one-woman show. (Bruce K. Manson)

By Annette Hubbell
PUBLISHED: May 8, 2025 at 6:20 AM PDT

I launched my one-woman show, “Woman Warriors: Remarkable Women Who Transformed the World,” in 2018, focusing on women who had taken a stand against historical unfairness and injustice. My goal was to celebrate their achievements by bringing them to life.

I never expected my show would subject me to racial discrimination from the San Diego County library system. But that’s what happened when it canceled my performance. That cancellation is now the subject of a federal lawsuit.

After retiring, I published a book about historical figures shaped by faith. Readings from it evolved into my stage show, which allowed me to channel my passion for history into interpretive performances of women like Harriet Beecher Stowe, Harriet Tubman, Mary McLeod Bethune and Corrie ten Boom. In theatrical appearances over the last 16 years — from progressive California to deep red Alabama — I’ve brought these heroic women to life. I do so with the sensitivity, respect and honor they deserve. I am proud of it.

In 2023, the Rancho Santa Fe Library hired me to perform three historical figures from my repertoire: the author Harriet Beecher Stowe, the anti-slavery leader Harriet Tubman and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune. Having been vetted by the library system, I didn’t expect any problems.

But months later, county library officials asked me to replace Tubman and Bethune, both African American women, with White characters. They explained that it was inappropriate for a White woman to portray Black historical figures, even though it was library officials who originally chose the characters. Having performed these roles numerous times over the years without any issue, I refused their request. In response, they canceled my show entirely.

The library’s decision troubled me. First, we had a contractual agreement that they would not interfere with my performance. Second, anyone familiar with “Woman Warriors” knows my performances are rooted in deep and intense research into the lives and thoughts of my “characters.” I base each performance on the individual’s own words, drawn from writings or speeches, to reflect her reality.

In developing my repertoire, I strove to include a diverse range of women from different periods, all sharing a common thread in how they impacted their world. Several of those figures are African American. I chose them not based on the color of their skin but on the content of their character.

Other than costume changes, I don’t use special make-up or exaggerated effects to enhance the characters in my performance. I simply draw upon their words and ideas to give life to these remarkable women, who most people might only know from reading about on the page.

There’s nothing unusual about actors portraying historical figures of differing races. The most prominent example from recent years is the hit Broadway musical “Hamilton,” in which a cast of primarily non-White actors portrays the revolutionary era with energy and warmth.

I raised that point with library officials, who dismissed the issue by saying, “That’s historically different.” They couldn’t explain how it was different. Would they cancel a “Hamilton” show for using actors of the “wrong” race? Of course not.

I don’t relish a legal dispute. I’m not adversarial by nature, and I’d rather spend my time researching, writing, and rehearsing to make my performances as compelling as possible.

But I decided that if I was going to celebrate historical figures who stood up to injustice at a time when their lives were at stake, I could stand up for justice today. I’ve filed a federal lawsuit against the library for violating my constitutional rights under the Equal Protection Clause. The library canceled my performance based on my race — and that’s illegal discrimination.

History belongs to all of us and is not the property of any one racial or ethnic group. We should not shy away from our shared heritage. My performance tells American stories of courage, sacrifice, and resilience, and they should be told and appreciated by all.

Though disappointed by the library’s discrimination, I’m encouraged by the outpouring of support from San Diegans of all stripes. It’s time to rediscover the things that unite us as Americans, and that starts with challenging racial discrimination in all its forms.