1820-22(?)-1913
Birthplace: Dorchester County, Maryland – born into slavery
Conductor of the Underground Railroad
Soldier
Nurse
Suffrage Activist
Author
Harriet Tubman was born to Harriet Green and Benjamin Ross. However, her birth name was Araminta Ross.
At age five she was rented out as a domestic servant, at the age of 12 while trying to prevent her enslaver from beating an enslaved man who tried to escape, she was hit on the head with a two pound weight leaving her with lifelong suffering of severe headaches and narcolepsy (decreased ability to regulate sleep-wake cycles).
She became a conductor of the Underground Railroad (which was established in the late 18th century) using the network of anti-slavery activists and safe houses. She personally completed 13 missions to rescue approximately 70 enslaved people including her family and friends. Tubman became known as the “Moses of her people.”
Tubman would later serve as a scout, spy, guerrilla soldier, and nurse for the Union Army during the American Civil War (1961-1965). During this time she became the first African American woman to serve in the military and first woman to lead a major military operation. Harriet Tubman helped coordinate a military assault that freed more than 700 enslaved people. For this she was buried with military honors.
After the war Tubman raised money to build schools for newly freed people (known as freedom schools). She joined Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony in their quest for women's suffrage. Tubman cared for her elderly parents, worked with writer Sarah Bradford on her two autobiographies Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman and later Harriet Tubman, Moses of Her People. She campaigned for her late husband's military pension which she was finally awarded $8 per month. For her military service she received a pension of and $20 per month in 1899.
In 1896 she established the Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged near her home.
Very few women have national park sites dedicated to them. Harriet Tubman has two.
The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park in Dorchester County, Maryland and The Harriet Tubman National Historical Park in Auburn, New York.
Beacon Of Hope Harriet Tubman statue Sept 10, 2022 in Cambridge, Maryland.
There is a self-guided driving tour that winds for more than 125 miles through Maryland's Eastern shore then another 98 miles through Delaware. It includes 45 historically significant sites related to the Underground Railroad.
Harriet Tubman will be the first Black person and the first Black woman to appear on the United States paper currency (eventually...definitely by 2030) replacing Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill.
Just a reminder...women did not get the right to vote until 1919. All of her amazing
accomplishments happened before 1913.
Harriet Tubman, lived a life committed to freedom and dignity for ALL people. Her life story was so utterly brave and powerful.
I loved bringing Harriet Tubman to life. She was the fourth woman I created. It was important to me to be able to capture the depth and character of her face. Finding flesh tones was critical to me, to be able to represent all “The Women” I needle felt. Sarafina Fiber Arts Inc had a wonderful selection of raw wools. The red bandana on her head has each dot individually felted on it.
”Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Alway remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.“ – Harriet Tubman
Sources:
History channel
National Women‘s History Museum
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