Harriet Tubman (c.1820-March 10,1913)

By: Sierra Wiggins

The year Tubman was born remains unknown; it’s probably between (1820-1825). Born to the parents of Harriet “Rit” Green and Ben Ross, she was even nicknamed as “Minty” by her parents. Her original name was Araminta Harriet Ross, but around the time she got married she changed her name to Harriet in honor of her mother.

Harriet Tubman is a Civil Rights Activist that escaped slavery in 1849 by leading other enslaved people to freedom along the Underground Railroad. When Tubman fled she left behind her husband John Tubman, her parents, and her siblings. When she crossed into the state of Pennsylvania with a feeling of relief, she said, “I had crossed the line. I was free; but there was no one to welcome me to the land of freedom. I was a stranger in a strange land.” She eventually returned to the south at least 19 times to lead her family and other slaves to freedom.

Tubman became an American Icon; During the Civil War she served as a cook, spy, and a scout. She also was a nurse but her knowledge of local plants helped the sick soldiers. Tubman became the first civil war woman to lead over 700 slaves to freedom. She also played an important role in directing the Combahee River Raid in June 1863. After the war, she returned home to Auburn, NY where her parents were old and passed away. Her mother passed in 1880 and her father passed in 1871. Her brothers and their families eventually moved to Auburn as well.

Tubman was a brave, and a courageous woman that had dedicated her life to freedom. She became a major influence on both younger and older people.

Woodward Senior Crystanika Gudger said that “Harriet Tubman impacted by freeing the black slaves to freedom because it was wrong for the whites to own blacks, which created laws and rights for us today.”

Woodward teacher Mr. Carr said “She was a fearless leader that put herself in danger and risked her life to save other African Americans, she was the Moses of the 1800’s.”