The breathtaking courage of Harriet Tubman - Janell Hobson

Summary

Harriet Tubman, born into slavery as Araminta Ross, escaped to freedom and became a key figure in the Underground Railroad. She risked her life to return to the South 13 times, freeing numerous enslaved individuals. Tubman also worked as a nurse, scout, and spy during the Civil War, leading a military raid that liberated 700 enslaved people. After the war, she fought for women's suffrage and raised funds for formerly enslaved people. Her legacy as a fearless abolitionist and advocate for justice endures, with her image set to appear on the U.S. twenty-dollar bill.

Takeaways

• 💪 Harriet Tubman was a courageous leader in the fight against slavery, risking her life to help others escape.
• 🌿 Born Araminta Ross in Dorchester County, Maryland in the early 1820s, Tubman was one of nine children born into slavery.
• 😢 Two of her sisters were sold to a chain gang, and Tubman herself endured whippings and harsh treatment from a young age.
• 🧠 A head injury from an overseer caused Tubman to suffer from narcolepsy, a condition she lived with for the rest of her life.
• 🛠️ Working in lumber alongside free Black sailors, Tubman learned critical information about secret communication routes that would aid her future escape efforts.
• 🌟 In 1849, Tubman escaped slavery, following the North Star to Pennsylvania, and later returned to the South 13 times to rescue her family and others.
• 🚂 She earned the nickname 'Black Moses' for her leadership in the Underground Railroad, helping enslaved people reach freedom.
• 🎖️ During the Civil War, Tubman served as a nurse, scout, and spy for the Union Army and led a military raid that freed nearly 700 enslaved persons.
• 🗳️ After the war, Tubman became active in the women's suffrage movement, fighting for the right to vote and speaking at conventions.
• 🕊️ Harriet Tubman passed away in 1913 at age 91, leaving a legacy of freedom and equality, with her image set to appear on the U.S. $20 bill.

Q & A

What significant event occurred in Harriet Tubman's life when she was on an errand to a neighborhood store?

An overseer threw a two-pound weight at a fugitive enslaved person, missed, and struck Harriet Tubman (then Minty) instead, causing her to experience sleeping spells, which we now know as narcolepsy, for the rest of her life.

How did Harriet Tubman's work in lumbering with her father influence her later life?

Lumbering increased Harriet Tubman's physical strength and put her in touch with free black sailors who shipped the wood to the North. From them, she learned about secret communications along trade routes, information that proved invaluable for her later work on the Underground Railroad.

Why did Harriet Tubman change her name after marriage?

Harriet Tubman renamed herself Harriet after her mother following her marriage to John Tubman, a free black man, in 1844.

What prompted Harriet Tubman to escape slavery?

Harriet Tubman decided to escape when her owner died in 1849 and his widow planned to sell off the enslaved people, including Harriet, potentially separating her from her loved ones.

How did Harriet Tubman's first attempt to escape slavery end?

Harriet Tubman's first attempt to escape with her two brothers ended when they turned back, fearing they were lost. However, she later had a dream that showed her the path to liberation, and she successfully escaped on her own in the autumn of 1849.

How many times did Harriet Tubman return to the South after her escape?

Harriet Tubman returned to the South 13 times to free her family and many others.

What was Harriet Tubman's role during the Civil War?

During the Civil War, Harriet Tubman worked as a Union army nurse, scout, and spy. In 1863, she became the first woman in U.S. history to plan and lead a military raid, liberating nearly 700 enslaved persons in South Carolina.

What were Harriet Tubman's contributions to the women's suffrage movement?

Harriet Tubman became more active in the fight for women's right to vote in 1888. She appeared at the founding convention of the National Association of Colored Women and at a woman's suffrage meeting in Rochester, New York, sharing her experiences and advocating for the cause.

What recognition did Harriet Tubman receive for her service in the Union Army?

After persistent efforts, Harriet Tubman was granted a veteran's pension for her service in the Union Army in 1899, receiving $20 a month.

What was the significance of Harriet Tubman's image being announced to appear on a redesigned U.S. currency?

In 2016, the United States Treasury announced that Harriet Tubman's image would appear on a redesigned twenty-dollar bill, marking a significant recognition of her contributions to American history and her status as a symbol of freedom and equality.

What were Harriet Tubman's final words, and what do they signify?

Harriet Tubman's final words were, 'I go away to prepare a place for you.' These words signify her lifelong dedication to the freedom and well-being of her people, even as she faced the end of her own life.