Harriet Tubman Biography
Welcome to the Harriet Tubman biography. Harriet Tubman was an American born woman who was a passionate activist and a key player in the abolition of slavery. She was a native of Virginia and was born into slavery but she later fled and devoted her life to freeing other slaves. Harriet Tubman guided hundreds of slaves to liberty by the help of the Underground Railroad. She fought for what she believed in and risked her life for people’s freedom, thus she deserves to be called an American hero. Harriet Tubman was one of the most important figures in the history of the United States as her deeds in fighting for the abolition of slavery, women’s rights, and humanitarianism defined the future of the country.
Tubman’s life was filled with strength and she was able to
always get back up after being knocked down. She also had numerous challenges
but she did not stop fighting for freedom and justice. Harriet Tubman was a
symbol of hope to many people because of her never give up attitude in ensuring
that slavery was abolished. She continued to be involved with the various
issues she had passion for even in her old age. The life of Harriet Tubman as
the fighter for human rights is still felt in the present day.
Often portrayed as an Underground Railroad conductor,
Harriet Tubman played a much bigger role in the lives of the African Americans
who were slaves. Harriet Tubman was also a nurse, spy and a women rights
activist. This is why she is an inspiration and a role model for people who
want to go through the most difficult times in their lives and leave a lasting
impact.
Early Life and Education of Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman was born Araminta Ross in Dorchester County,
Maryland sometime in the year 1822. She was the daughter of slave parents,
Harriet Green and Ben Ross and was the fifth of nine children. Harriet Tubman
had to go through the worst part of her life when she was still young as she
was a slave. Her childhood was not very happy as she was sold and hired to
different masters who used her badly.
Contrary to her contemporaries Harriet Tubman was illiterate
because the legal right to education was denied to slaves. Still, she received
some knowledge through the life experiences she had in her lifetime. It is for
this reason that the struggles of slavery that young Harriet Tubman would go
through would determine her stand in the fight for freedom. She had a head
injury at a very young age after an overseer had thrown a very hard object at
her and that affected her throughout her life, she had headaches and seizures.
It is the early life experiences along with faith that
helped Tubman to seek freedom for herself. Harriet Tubman was a devout
Christian and she felt that it was her mission from God to free her people.
With the faith in the divine plan for her life, Harriet Tubman was able to go
through the dangerous route to liberty, which eventually set her up for the
Underground Railroad.
Rise To Fame of Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman was the conductor of the Underground Railroad
which was a system of routes and safe houses for the escape of slaves to
northern states and Canada. Having herself escaped from slavery in 1849, Tubman
went back to the South several times to help her family members and other
slaves. For she has helped free over 70 people, she was nicknamed the ‘Moses’
of her people, for she led her people to freedom.
The bravery and ingenuity of Harriet Tubman abolitionist proved her to be an important participant of abolition process. She cooperated with other abolitionists such as William Still and Frederick Douglass to support the Underground Railroad. It is quite astonishing that such a woman as Harriet Tubman was able to escape the captors and lead so many people to freedom despite the fact that there was a price on her head.
Tubman became well-known during the Civil War working as a
nurse, a cook, and even a spy for Union Army. Harriet Tubman’s intelligence
work was to assist the Union forces down in the South. Her participation in the
military activities gave her a more powerful image of a leader and a freedom
fighter in the society.
Achievements of Harriet Tubman in Abolition and Beyond
Some of the greatest accomplishments of Harriet Tubman
include her as a conductor in the Underground Railroad. She went on many trips
into the slave states, and even at the risk of her life, she guided others to
the northern states. Tubman did not lose a single passenger, which is a clear
indication that she was particular about planning and, of course, the terrain.
She even risked her life and mobilized many people to fight against slavery.
However, it is also worth to note that Harriet Tubman Civil War participation is of importance as well. She was the first woman to lead an armed incursion, and directed Union forces in the Combahee River Raid in South Carolina. This mission liberated more than seven hundred captives; it was one of the most successful military actions of Harriet Tubman.
Later on, Tubman still remained an activist, campaigning for
women and the right to vote for them. Harriet Tubman actively contributed to
fight for the rights of women and was fighting for their right to vote together
with Susan B. Anthony. Her commitment to fighting for justice in her lifetime
for the black people and women make Harriet Tubman a pioneer in the American
history.
Challenges of Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman went through many struggles in her lifetime
including the inhuman treatment that was given to slaves. From childhood, she
was a slave, she experienced physical abuse, harsh labor, and possible
separation with her family. The accident she had when young made her to have
seizures and severe headaches that hounded her all her lifetime.
Having taken her freedom, it was not easy for Harriet Tubman
as many people may think or imagine, life was not a bed of roses. When she was
working for the Underground Railroad, she had to do it clandestinely. Of
course, Harriet Tubman was never out of danger because slave catchers were
always in the prowl for any runaway slaves and anyone who assisted them. It is
important to mention that Harriet Tubman faced danger in her life several times
and there was a rather big reward for her head.
Tubman suffered several challenges after the civil war; she
was barely paid for her work and services she offered. The latter part of
Tubman’s life was not very financially stable and she had to rely on friends
and admirers for her needs. But these hardships did not prevent Harriet Tubman
from further struggling for the sake of other people and justice.
Criticism on Harriet Tubman
What is important to know is that although Harriet Tubman is
highly regarded today, she did receive criticism during her life. Some critics,
especially those who approved of slavery, considered her a thief because she
helped the fugitives in the Underground Railroad. Harriet Tubman was marked as
a fugitive, and what she was doing was criminal according to the eye of the law
of the land that upheld the system of slavery.
It was not only the WLA members who criticized her; there
were also those who considered a woman incapable of carrying out such risky
missions. Some people even doubted Harriet Tubman’s leadership in a society
that was dominated by men but her success in rescuing slaves subdued most of
her critics. Still, these doubts did not stop her from doing what she did, and
for that, Harriet Tubman received much recognition and admiration.
In the later years of her life people even doubted her
participation in the women’s suffrage movement. Some regarded the alliance of
Harriet Tubman with women’s rights as rather questionable, especially for the
latter who insisted that African American women’s rights should not be
considered as a priority as other political issues. However, Tubman’s activism
in different fronts of society meant she was fighting for equality of all
races.
Personal Life of Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman’s personal life was characterized by strong
faith which she had on her family. In 1844, she married a free black man, John
Tubman with whom they had a tumultuous marriage because Harriet wanted to
escape to freedom while John did not. After she was freed, Tubman married
Nelson Davis, a Civil War veteran and they adopted a child named Gertie.
However, Tubman did not lose contact with her family and
continued to visit them often even though she was a very busy woman. One of the
main reasons that inspired Tubman to go back to the South was the determination
to rescue her family members from slavery. She was very active in this regard
and most of her activism stemmed from her love for her family and the
community.
Religious aspect was also a significant part of Tubman’s
personal life as well. The strength of character that Harriet Tubman had was
that she was sure that she was sent by God to free her people from slavery. She
was able to endure the worst of situations and conditions because of her faith.
It was the personal beliefs of Harriet Tubman that were the driving force
behind her action that inspired the people who knew her.
Harriet Tubman Quotes
Another popular saying which is attributed to Harriet Tubman
is “I went and told a thousand slaves to go free; I could have told a thousand
more to go free but they did not know they were slaves”. This statement depicts
the attitude and some of the difficulties that Tubman encountered in the
process of awakening people to the issue of freedom. We are currently going
through a period when the words of Harriet Tubman are still motivating people
who work for justice and equality.
Another strong quote of her is, ‘Every great dream begins
with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the
patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.’ The
statement reflects her faith in people’s ability to make a change. Her life
completely supports the notion of the fact that one person can change so much.
Harriet Tubman also once quoted; I was the conductor of the
Underground Railroad for eight years and I could say what most conductors can’t
say, I never ran my train off the track and I never lost a passenger.
Harriet Tubman Facts
This is one of the little-known facts about Harriet Tubman;
during the Civil War, she worked as a spy for the Union Army. The tactical
knowledge of the South terrain and her stealth made Tubman a great asset to the
Union side. She as a spy contributed to the Union by providing them with
important information which was vital in their win.
One more fact that can be mentioned is that Harriet Tubman
was the first woman to lead an armed military raid during the Civil War. During
the civil war in 1863 Harriet Tubman led a raid that liberated over 700 slaves
in South Carolina. This act of military leadership proved her courage and
strategic thinking and thus, solidified her position as a fighter for freedom.
Finally, Harriet Tubman participated in the women’s suffrage
after the Civil War. In the same year, Harriet Tubman toured the country
speaking on women suffrage. Her collaboration with such leaders as Susan B.
Anthony proved the fact that she fought for equal rights for both, black and
women.
Legacy of Harriet Tubman
The life of Harriet Tubman can be best summed up as a story
of bravery, sacrifice and commitment to fairness. These activities of hers to
liberate the slaves and her role in the victorious end of the civil war in
support of the union has made her one of America’s most important
personalities. Even to this day, Tubman’s actions of being the “Moses” of her
people can still be seen as the motivation for equal and human rights movements
across the globe.
It was only in the year 2016 that the decision to replace
Andrew Jackson by Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill was made. This decision speaks
to the relevancy of her work to this day and acknowledgement of her role in the
American history., thus, the placement of Harriet Tubman on currency is a
constant reminder of a struggle for liberty and fairness.
Some books, movies and documentaries have been produced in
Harriet Tubman’s story. She remains a symbol of hope to the generations that
are yet to come to empower them to stand up for equal rights and justice. This
is a great example of what one can accomplish in spite of all the odds that are
stacked against one, especially when it comes to their character and
achievements of such a great figure as Harriet Tubman.
0 Comments