Influential Figures

Harriet Tubman: The Freedom Fighter

Harriet Tubman (c. 1822–1913) remains one of the most revered figures in American history. Known for her daring escapes from slavery, unflinching commitment to civil rights, and pivotal role in the Underground Railroad, she earned the nickname “Moses of her people.” Tubman’s life is a testament to courage, faith, and selflessness.

Early Life and Enslavement

Born Araminta Ross in Dorchester County, Maryland, around 1822, Harriet endured a harsh childhood under the bondage of the Brodess family. At a young age, she suffered a traumatic head injury when an overseer threw a metal weight intending to strike another enslaved person. The injury resulted in lifelong symptoms of dizziness and vivid visions, which she interpreted as divine premonitions.

Raised in Methodist faith, Tubman developed a deep spiritual connection that would ground her resolve. In 1849, seizing a perilous opportunity, she fled to Philadelphia, acquiring her freedom and laying the foundation for her future heroism.

The Conductor on the Underground Railroad (1849–1859)

Following her escape, Tubman returned to Maryland numerous times, guiding enslaved people north toward freedom. Between 1849 and 1862, she completed approximately 13 missions, escorting around 70 individuals, including her own family. Her success rates were extraordinary; as she remarked, “I never ran my train off the track and I never lost a passenger”.

Her spiritual conviction fueled her courage. One of her most famous sayings echoes this faith-led strength:

“If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, keep going. … Don’t ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going.”

Civil War Service and Military Leadership (1861–1865)

When the American Civil War erupted, Tubman initially served as a cook, nurse, and laundress for the Union Army. Not content with traditional support roles, she became a scout and spy, leveraging her intimate knowledge of Southern terrain to collect vital intelligence.

In June 1863, Tubman made history leading the Combahee River Raid in South Carolina, commanding a detachment of Black soldiers that freed more than 700 enslaved people. She holds the distinction of being the first American woman known to plan and execute an armed military expedition.

Later Life: Advocacy, Suffrage, and Community Service (1865–1913)

After the war, Tubman settled in Auburn, New York, on land she had acquired in 1859. She cared for her aging parents, supported newly freed individuals, and tirelessly advocated for women’s suffrage. Despite her contributions as a nurse, cook, and spy, her war pension only began in 1899—twenty years after the Civil War ended.

Harriet lived her final years in the Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged, which she helped fund. She died in 1913 and was buried with military honors.

Legacy and Commemoration

Tubman’s legacy continues to inspire. Her life has been immortalized through film (Harriet, 2019), literature, visual arts, and music. Highlights of her legacy include:

Postal and Currency Honors: The first Black woman on a U.S. postage stamp (1978), appearing again in 1995. Her portrait is slated to replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill, and in 2024, three U.S. Mint commemorative coins featured her likeness.

Historic Sites: The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument (created 2013) and National Historical Park (authorized 2015) preserve key locations tied to her early life. In Canada, her spiritual home in St. Catharines is commemorated as a National Historic Site.

Monuments & Memorials: Statues appear across the U.S., including in Boston, Mesa (AZ), Newark (NJ), and Beaufort (SC).

Honors: Inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame (1973), National Abolition Hall of Fame (2005), Military Intelligence Hall of Fame (2019), and posthumously commissioned as a one-star general in Maryland’s National Guard (2024).

Historical Context and Societal Impact

Tubman’s life must be understood against a backdrop of antebellum slavery, the abolitionist movement, and the Civil War. Her actions directly challenged the institution of slavery and contributed critically to Union intelligence efforts. Her fearless interventions, often guided by her spiritual insights, displayed the power of individual agency against oppression.

Moreover, Tubman’s work with the women’s suffrage movement connected the fight for racial equality to women’s rights—a legacy that continues to influence intersectional social justice movements today.

Remembering Today

Today, Harriet Tubman is widely honored as an emblem of resistance and freedom. She is taught across educational systems, featured on statues, stamps, and banknotes, and continues to inspire artistic works—from operas to biographies. Her quotes remain potent calls to persistence and courage:

“I grew up like a neglected weed—ignorant of liberty, having no experience of it.”

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer…”

Recent archaeology in Maryland’s Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge uncovered artifacts from her childhood home, such as a silver spoon from 1815, offering fresh historical context to her early life.

Conclusion

Harriet Tubman exemplifies the transformative impact one individual can have on history. From her self-emancipation to guiding hundreds to freedom, leading a wartime raid, advocating for equal rights, and establishing community care, she left an indelible legacy. Her life mirrors America’s journey toward freedom and equality—marked by struggle, hope, and triumph. In public memory and collective consciousness, Harriet Tubman lives on as an eternal beacon of resilience and empowerment.