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Harriet Tubman

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Harriet Tubman was a famous leader who fought for freedom.

(Portrait of Harriet Tubman) (LOC) (38899564300)
(Portrait of Harriet Tubman) (LOC) (38899564300)

She was born in Maryland around 1822. At that time, she was born into slavery. Her parents were Ben Ross and Harriet Green. Life was very hard for her as a child. She was often treated unfairly by those who owned her. One day, a heavy metal weight hit her in the head.

Harriet Tubman c1868-69 (cropped)
Harriet Tubman c1868-69 (cropped)

This injury caused her pain and dizzy spells for her whole life. She also had visions and dreams that she believed came from God.

Tubman decided she had to find her own freedom. In 1849, she escaped from Maryland to Philadelphia. She did not stop her work after she became free. She went back into dangerous areas many times to help others. She used a secret network called the Underground Railroad. This was a group of safe houses and people who helped escapees.

Harriet Tubman Reward Notice 1849
Harriet Tubman Reward Notice 1849

She made about 13 missions to rescue people. She led about 70 enslaved people to freedom, including her own family. She was even called "Moses" because she led people to safety. She famously said she never lost a single passenger on her trips.

After the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, the work became harder. Tubman had to guide people even further north. She helped them reach British North America, which we now call Canada. She also helped newly freed people find jobs so they could live well. In 1858, she met a man named John Brown. She helped him plan a famous raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859.

John Brown portrait, 1859-face crop
John Brown portrait, 1859-face crop

She was always looking for ways to fight for what was right.

When the American Civil War began, Tubman joined the Union Army. She did many different jobs to help the soldiers. First, she worked as a cook and a nurse. Later, she became an armed scout and a spy.

Harriet Tubman Civil War Woodcut
Harriet Tubman Civil War Woodcut

She helped lead a raid at Combahee Ferry. This raid was very important because it freed more than 700 enslaved people. Many people believe she was the first woman to lead an armed military operation in the United States.

South-carolina-volunteers raid on Combahee
South-carolina-volunteers raid on Combahee

She showed great courage during the war.

After the war ended, Tubman moved to Auburn, New York. She bought property there in 1859. She spent her later years caring for her aging parents. Tubman also became a leader in the movement for women's suffrage. This was the fight to give women the right to vote.

Harriet Tubman late in life3
Harriet Tubman late in life3

Even when she became ill, she stayed active in her work. She helped start a home for elderly African Americans. Today, people all over the world remember her as a hero of freedom.

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🖼️ Images & Media (12)
File:Harriet Tubman Locations Map.jpg
Harriet Tubman Locations Map.jpg
File:Harriet Tubman Reward Notice 1849.jpg
Harriet Tubman Reward Notice 1849.jpg
File:Harriet Tubman c1868-69 (cropped).jpg
Harriet Tubman c1868-69 (cropped).jpg
File:Frederick Douglass by Samuel J Miller, 1847-52.png
Frederick Douglass by Samuel J Miller, 1847-52.png
File:John Brown portrait, 1859-face crop.jpg
John Brown portrait, 1859-face crop.jpg
File:Harriet Tubman Civil War Woodcut.jpg
Harriet Tubman Civil War Woodcut.jpg
File:South-carolina-volunteers raid on Combahee.jpg
South-carolina-volunteers raid on Combahee.jpg
File:(Portrait of Harriet Tubman) (LOC) (38899564300).jpg
(Portrait of Harriet Tubman) (LOC)...
File:Harriet Tubman, with rescued slaves, New York Times.JPG
Harriet Tubman, with rescued slaves, New...
File:Harriet Tubman late in life3.jpg
Harriet Tubman late in life3.jpg
File:The launching party for the SS Harriet Tubman, 06-03-1944 - NARA - 535828.jpg
The launching party for the SS Harriet...
File:16-bep-tubmanbill.jpg
16-bep-tubmanbill.jpg
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