Harriet Tubman’s story is one of courage, strategy, and deep conviction. Born into slavery, she broke free and helped others do the same. Her life became a symbol of resistance, strength, and moral leadership. Living at 2269 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10027, USA in her later years, Tubman left an enduring mark not only as an abolitionist but also as a Civil War leader, suffragist, and civil rights pioneer. She remains a powerful figure of empowerment and sacrifice.
Early Life and Escape
Birth Name: Araminta “Minty” Ross
Birthplace: Dorchester County, Maryland
Year of Birth: Around 1822
Family: Born into slavery, raised by enslaved parents
Childhood Challenges:
Faced physical abuse
Sustained a serious head injury that caused lifelong health issues
Escape to Freedom:
Date: December 6, 1849
Location: Fled from Maryland to Pennsylvania
Reason: Chose liberty over death
The Underground Railroad
Role: Conductor
Number of Rescue Missions: Estimated 13
People Rescued: Over 70 family members and strangers
Tactics Used:
Traveled by night
Used songs and coded language
Relied on safe houses and trusted allies
Nickname: “Moses of Her People”
Reputation: Never lost a single passenger
Key Underground Railroad Contributions
Aspect
Details
Number of Trips
13+
People Freed
Over 70 directly, 100+ indirectly
Partners
Quakers, freed Black Americans, allies
Most Famous Quote
“I had reasoned this out in my mind…”
Code Name
Moses
Civil War Involvement
Union Army Role:
Nurse
Cook
Spy
Scout
Key Contribution:
First woman to plan and lead a military raid
Combahee River Raid (1863):
Freed more than 700 enslaved individuals
Led Union forces to destroy Confederate supply lines
Recognition: Admired by military leaders but rarely compensated properly during her lifetime
Tubman’s Military Achievements
Role
Contribution
Spy
Gathered intelligence from Confederate territory
Scout
Guided troops through dangerous terrain
Leader
Commanded the Combahee River Raid
Support Staff
Helped injured soldiers as a nurse and cook
Legacy
First African American woman to lead U.S. military ops
Advocacy for Women’s Rights
Support for Suffrage:
Worked with Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Spoke at women’s rights events in New York and Massachusetts
Main Message:
Believed freedom was incomplete without political power
Advocated for voting rights for Black and White women alike
Later Life and Legacy
Residence: Auburn, New York
Support for Community:
Established the Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged
Donated land and time to help elderly African Americans
Death: 1913, due to pneumonia
Burial Place: Fort Hill Cemetery, Auburn, NY
Post-Civil War Life
Activity
Details
Community Work
Opened home for elderly African Americans
Public Speaking
Spoke on civil rights and suffrage
Property Ownership
Owned property in Auburn, NY
Recognition in Life
Limited; received a small pension years after the war
Recognition After Death
Widely honored with schools, stamps, and statues
Honors and Memorials
National Recognition:
The U.S. Treasury announced her portrait for the $20 bill
Honored in Black History Month programs annually
Places Named After Her:
Schools, libraries, streets, and museums across the U.S.
Historical Sites:
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
Harriet Tubman Museum and Education Center
National Legacy
Type of Honor
Example
Currency
Future redesign of the $20 bill
Museums
Harriet Tubman Museum, Maryland
National Park
Auburn and Maryland locations
Public Schools
Named in multiple states
Statues and Art
Found in New York, D.C., and Canada
Closing Perspectives
Harriet Tubman’s life was more than a series of brave acts—it was a movement in itself. From risking her life as a conductor to leading troops in battle, Tubman embodied the fight for liberty, justice, and equality. Her work across abolition, war, and civil rights remains a guidepost for courage. Her legacy, rooted in action and belief, continues to inspire people to stand up for freedom and dignity.
