Harriet Tubman

Occupation: Abolitionist; nurse; spy; scout 

Place of Origin: Dorchester County, Maryland 

Summary:

Harriet Tubman, one of the most influential and courageous figures in American history, is known for her pivotal role in the abolitionist movement and her groundbreaking work as a conductor on the Underground Railroad. She is best known for helping approximately 70 people escape slavery through this clandestine network of secret routes used by fugitive slaves.

Achievements and Accolades:

Born into slavery in Maryland, Tubman escaped to freedom in 1849. Despite the dangers and severe repercussions of aiding fugitives, she took extraordinary and noble risks to help others—earning her the nickname "Moses," a reference to the biblical prophet who led the Hebrews out of persecution in Egypt.

Her accomplishments, however, did not end there. During the Civil War, Tubman served in the Union Army as a spy, nurse, scout, and cook. In 1863, she led an expedition of 150 African American soldiers in the Combahee River Raid, which freed more than 700 enslaved people in South Carolina—one of the largest emancipation efforts of the war.

Following the war, she remained dedicated to helping formerly enslaved people, advocating for women's suffrage, and establishing a retirement home for elderly African Americans in Auburn, New York—now the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park. She passed away in 1913, leaving behind an enduring legacy of bravery, leadership, honor and an unwavering dedication to justice and Civil rights in the United States.

Resources: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raid_on_Combahee_Ferry

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_Tubman_National_Historical_Park

https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/harriet-tubman

https://www.nps.gov/people/harriet-tubman.htm

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Harriet-Tubman