The Board of the Unitarian Universalist Retired Ministers and Partners Association names the Reverend Phyllis L. Hubbell the 2021 Unsung UURMaPAn in recognition of her visionary launching, guiding and following through with a Rainbow History project for UURMaPA timed on the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall resistance.
Phyllis conceived of the idea of honoring and celebrating our Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Queer UU leaders, and our institutional struggles for justice.
She took on fundraising and Conference planning that yielded two outstanding conferences in 2019. Ambitious to preserve this history as more than conference conversations, Phyllis pressed on patiently and enthusiastically to transcribe and edit recorded talks, and to ensure that they are archived at Andover-Harvard Library. A website was made, where materials were contributed by many and made available. A book has been launched from this Rainbow History project, which is being edited by Diana McLean and will come from Skinner House. Phyllis worked with the late Dorothy Emerson, and with the late Judy Welles, and many volunteers to move the work forward.
With patience and good humor, Phyllis continues to work on the project, which has had a very long aftermath of collecting and editing and securing permissions for use of recorded materials. In addition, Phyllis served on the Board as Vice President, and showed her resilience when she had to pivot last June to create our first entirely online GA Annual gathering. Phyllis has been a stalwart participant in UURMaPA programs since her retirement from Full Time ministry. She and John Manwell continue to provide part-time congregational ministry as clergy partners, while they live in Gaithersburg Maryland.
Awarded on April 28, 2021