Poway resident Annette Hubbell, a professional actress who was barred by San Diego County government from portraying historical figures of a different race at county library performances, has changed the county’s decision and future policies through settlement of a federal civil rights lawsuit.
Hubbell performs one-actress portrayals of historical figures through first-person accounts of their lives in their own words. Titled “Women Warriors- Remarkable Women Who Transformed the World,” each portrayal lasts 20 minutes. Since 2009, Hubbell has acted in about 400 such performances in theaters, schools, churches and libraries.
Her material comes from her book, “Eternity Through the Rearview Mirror,” which chronicles the lives of 17 historical figures.
In 2023, the county library retained Hubbell to portray three historical figures for a branch library performance. At the local librarian’s request, she planned to include two Black women, Harriet Tubman and Mary McLeod Bethune. Hubbell had often portrayed the women without objections and never using the offensive “blackface.”
Shortly before the engagement Hubbell was asked to exclude the Black women from her show because “our administration was uncomfortable with you performing a Black character as a White woman.”
When Hubbell asked a library supervisor whether she could “only honor women of courage and integrity if they’re White,” she was told “that’s pretty much it.”
She refused and the library canceled her performance.
A county spokesperson stated at the time that the decision to ban Hubbell from portraying Black historical figures was endorsed by the Diversity and Inclusion Executive Council, a body appointed to guide the county’s diversity and inclusion strategy.
In May 2025, Pacific Legal Foundation sued on Hubbell’s behalf. The lawsuit was settled last month.
Under the settlement, Hubbell will be allowed to perform at a county library and portray a Black historical figure. Additionally, the county agreed to follow the law and acknowledged that, absent a federal program mandate, the county “is not allowed to take into consideration race, ethnicity, color, or national origin, of any vendor, contractor, or individual providing services to the county of San Diego or any of its departments, including the San Diego County Public Library, in determining, scheduling or approving the provision of such services.”
The county also agreed to pay $60,000 on Hubbell’s civil rights claim and $5,000 for attorney fees.
“The government should never tell people they’re not allowed to do something because of their race,” said Chris Barnewolt, a Pacific Legal Foundation attorney. “The Constitution requires that all people be treated equally under the law, and this settlement ensures that San Diego County will never again discriminate against individuals based on race.”
The county declined to comment beyond noting the matter was resolved under the settlement.
A county spokesperson previously said “the San Diego County Library remains steadfast in its mission to promote an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. This includes ensuring that our programs align with our values of equity, respect, and inclusivity.
“Each library program is individually evaluated based on specific context, structure, and potential impact. We strive to create spaces where multicultural communities can share their own stories authentically.”
Hubbell said: “History belongs to all of us. These stories are part of our collective heritage and should not be limited by race. The figures I portray spent their lives striving for equality and the recognition of our shared humanity. Silencing respectful tributes because of the performer’s race doesn’t protect the historical figure’s legacy — it erases it from new audiences.
“Acting is about stepping into the shoes of others so we can understand them. If we start saying only people who share a subject’s skin color may portray them, we shut down artistic exploration and the very empathy that art inspires.”
Although Hubbell won the right to portray a Black historical figure, her performance will be delayed. She is currently battling a recently diagnosed health condition that precludes her from performing. But she is determined to eventually return. “Someday,” she predicted, “you will see me in a county library performing Harriet Tubman or Mary McLeod Bethune.”
About this series
Goldsmith is a Union-Tribune contributing columnist.
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