Harriet Ross Tubman
(1823-1913)

Harriet Ross Tubman was born in Dorchester County, Maryland to captive parents. Her early life was filled with mistreatment and oppression from Whites as a part of her daily existence. Dr. Edward Robinson states in his book The Journey of the Songhai People, "At about fifteen years of age, she intervened to protect another captive, and was struck in the head by a two pound weight hurled by the overseer. The injury caused her to suffer sleeping seizures and dizzy spells for the rest of her life." After marrying John Tubman, a freedman, in 1844 or 1845, her thirst for freedom quickened. Though Tubman's husband refused to escape with her, she left anyway.

Following success, Tubman returned later and brought her brothers and parents to freedom.

For the next ten years she was a conductor on the Underground Railroad and made nineteen trips south to bring over 300 captives to the North. Landowners in the South perceived her as a thief, stealing their property and placed a $40,000 reward on her head. This did not deter Tubman and she never lost a passenger. The terrain was tough and many fugitives were frightened, but Tubman would reveal her pistol and tell them, "You'll be free or die."

In 1860, Harriet Tubman became an active abolitionist and spoke at antislavery meetings across the nation; she was also an advocate for women's rights. Known as Grandma Moses, she was respected by whites as well as African-Americans for her militant leadership. She was prevented from participating in John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry because of illness and was deeply saddened at their unsuccessful endeavor. During the Civil War, she was a nurse, soldier, spy and, scout. The Journey of the Songhai People states, "Her position was unique. Several times she commanded troops both Black and White on scouting raids of the most spectacular, in which she rescued 756 captives."

Tubman was given many awards and honors for her service to her country, but did not receive a $20.00 a month pension until more than thirty years after the war. Most of the money was donated to assist the elderly in her community of Auburn, New York.

Tubman dedicated her life to seeking freedom for herself and others that had the desire to be free. She died poor but rich in spirit in 1913.