Born into slavery, Harriet Tubman pursued freedom for herself and hundreds of people without giving up. Known as the "Conductor of the Underground Railroad," Tubman helped free thousands of people from slavery at the risk of her own life. Throughout the fight for civil and human rights in the United States, her name has been synonymous with courage and indomitable spirit.

Liberation from Restraints

Tubman experienced the cruelty of slavery directly because she was born into it in Maryland. In 1849, she courageously managed to free herself from slavery. Tubman's fight for liberation, however, continued long after she had escaped captivity. She devoted her life to freeing slaves and worked tirelessly to establish a network of safe houses that allowed slaves to travel to the free states and Canada.

Underground Railroad Conductor

For her work as a "conductor" on the Underground Railroad, Tubman became known as "Moses." She led some seventy people to freedom, including her own family members, over the course of ten years and thirteen excursions into the South. Her familiarity with the area, coupled with her courage and ingenuity, let her escape slave catchers and get those in her care to safety.

To Win Her Freedom, Tubman

Tubman was an active abolitionist and feminist in addition to her role in the Underground Railroad. In her efforts to end slavery, she collaborated closely with other prominent figures such as John Brown and Frederick Douglass. Tubman was the first woman to lead an armed expedition during the Civil War, serving as a nurse, cook, and spy for the Union Army.

An Unwavering Supporter

Tubman didn't stop fighting for civil rights after the Civil War. She became active in the women's suffrage movement, traveling the Northeast to speak on the topic and rally support for the cause. In order to help older African Americans, she also founded the Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged.