Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman, whose original name was Araminta Ross, was born in Maryland into slavery. The exact date of her birth is unknown, but was sometime between 1820 and 1825. During her childhood, she was hit in the head with a 2-pound weight that left her severely injured. From this experience, she decided since she didn’t die God had a plan for her. The injury caused her to have seizures, narcolepsy, headaches, and intense religious visions and dreams throughout her life. When she was older and her slave master died, she decided she needed to escape before being sold. With the help of the Underground Railroad she made the journey to the free state of Pennsylvania. She was so inspired by the feeling of freedom that she was determined to help others achieve the same victory. Over her life she traveled back to Maryland 13 times and helped 70 people escape. William Lloyd Garrison nicknamed her “Moses”, because of her dedication to her people. During the Civil War, she was employed by the Union army as a nurse, cook, and a spy. She was also the first woman to lead an armed raid in the war where she freed over 700 slaves. She remained an activist her whole life by helping recruit members for John Brown’s raid, speaking for women’s suffrage, and establishing the Harriet Tubman Home for Aged and Indigent Colored People. In 1913, she died of pneumonia, and was given semi-military honors at her funeral. She remains today one of the most recognized people of American history.

Further Reading:

Harriet Tubman Biography

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