Harriet Tubman

   

    Harriet Tubman (1820-1913) is one of the most famous Conductors of the Underground Railroad. She was an American bondwoman who escaped from slavery in the South. Tubman became a leading abolitionist before the American Civil War. She was born a slave in 1820, Harriet successfully escaped in 1849. Many of her family members had not escaped, she returned many times to that plantation to help her family and many other slaves escape. This was a large risk, but she was willing to help the others at all costs. Because Harriet Tubman was born in Maryland and that was where where her family was, that was the target area of slaves she herself helped. Through her help as a conductor, about half of the African-American people on the eastern shore of Maryland were free. She was an inspiration to many of the slaves and free blacks as well. Tubman also inspired other conductors to join the cause, which helped expand the Railroad itself.  

       Tubman was also well known for her help in the Civil War. She joined the Union army as a cook and nurse. She was an armed scout and spy as well. Harriet Tubman was the first woman to lead an armed expedition in the war. She guided the Combahee River Raid. This liberated more than 700 slaves in South Carolina.

-Emily