Profiles of Great Women - Part 4

Harriet Tubman - American Abolitionist

Born into slavery in 1820 in Dorchester County, Maryland, Harriet Tubman was a spy, nurse, feminist, and social reformer.  Small and frail in appearance, her looks were very much deceiving.  She escaped from bondage and for 16 years guided over 300 slaves to freedom in the North by way of a secret network of safe houses later called the Underground Railroad.  She was known as the "Moses of her people." 

As one of 11 children, Tubman was fortunate enough to grow up in a loving and nurturing environment created by her parents.  The rest of her life was spent in constant turmoil.  An incident in which she was struck on the head was the cause of recurring seizures which rendered her unconscious without warning at various times in her life.  Eventually, she married John Tubman, a free African American from Cambridge in 1844. 

She built the Harriet Tubman Home for Aged and Indigent Colored People in 1908.  During WWII a liberty ship was christened the Harriet Tubman in her honor.  She led many people to freedom and helped to undermine the institution of slavery.  Harriet Tubman died of pneumonia on March 10^th, 1913 and was buried in Ohio with military honors.

Source:              Biography.com

Additional Learning Links for Harriet Tubman

The Underground Railroad

Here you can learn about Harriet Tubman in the Journey, Routes to Freedom, Timeline of Events, Faces of Freedom, resources, and links.  There is also a special section for kids with questions, answers, and classroom ideas. 

Source:              National Geographic Society

Reading Level:   Easy

Harriet Tubman Center

This organization educates people to prevent violence, helps families build relationships without abuse, and advocate to change systems.  They have recently merged with the Family Violence Network.

Source:              HTC

Reading Level:   Moderate

Harriet Tubman Home

Find out the story behind the Harriet Tubman Home as well as tours and events.  Also read about the history of her life in slavery, her escape to freedom and Canada, her role in the Underground Railroad, and her life in Auburn, New York.

Source:              New York History Net

Reading Level:   Moderate