Harriet Tubman
b.1822 - 1913
“I was a conductor of the Underground Railroad for eight years, and I can say what most conductors can't say - I never ran the train off the track and I never lost a passenger.”
- Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman was born a slave on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in 1822. After moving to Pennsylvania in 1849, which did not allow slavery, she helped free 70 slaves in 13 trips back to Maryland. In later years she worked with Susan B Anthony to get the right to vote for women.
Harriet disguised herself to avoid getting captured. She is known to have dressed like a wealthier free African American in fine clothing, as an old woman or as a man. Neither she, nor those she freed, were ever caught.
Her first biography was Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman, by Sarah H. Bradford. It was published in 1869 and for its publication Harriet was paid $1,200.
During the Civil War Harriet was so effective that she was hired as a scout, spy and nurse. After the war she fought to be paid a pension for the work she did. It took thirty-four years, but eventually she was compensated. At the age of 79 she was granted a pension of $240 a year.
The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Monument was created by President Barack Obama in 2013. In 2014 a portion of the monument was declared a National Park. It is located in Church Creek, Maryland.
In anticipation of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment in 2020, Harriet Tubman has been selected to be featured on an American bill of currency, the 20 dollar bill.