Harriet Tubman Summary

“God set the North Star in the heavens; He gave me the strength in my limbs; He meant I should be free.” Harriet Tubman's faith and determination reflect the power of human spirit against unimaginable odds.

1. Harriet Tubman's Early Life Was Marked by Hardship and Mystery

Harriet Tubman, born Araminta Ross, faced challenges from the very start of her life as a slave in Maryland. While precise details about her birth remain unclear, scholars place her birth year between 1820 and 1825. Tubman was one of many siblings born to Harriet Green and Benjamin Ross, yet her family suffered frequent separations under slavery. The threat of being sold apart loomed over enslaved families constantly.

At just five years old, Tubman was sent to work for neighboring families. Her early tasks included caring for infants, but even minor mistakes resulted in brutal punishments. She suffered lifelong scars after being whipped by “Miss Susan,” a mistress she once worked for. Despite these traumatic beginnings, Tubman’s incredible resilience began forming through these ordeals.

The separation of enslaved families also deeply affected Tubman. Two of her sisters were sold to Georgia traders, and the grief of such forced divisions profoundly impacted her. These childhood experiences – from relentless abuse to the deprivation of kinship – laid the groundwork for Tubman’s later determination to fight for freedom.

Examples

• Tubman was sent away from her family at age five for menial labor under cruel conditions.
• The loss of her sisters to slave traders reinforced her drive to fight against slavery.
• Miss Susan’s brutal whippings left physical and emotional scars she carried for life.

2. A Fateful Injury Changed Tubman Forever

At age 12, Harriet Tubman suffered a severe head injury that would shape her life. While standing between a supervisor and a fleeing slave, a lead weight thrown by the supervisor struck Tubman’s skull. This trauma left her unconscious for days and inflicted lifelong health issues like narcolepsy and seizures.

Rather than succumbing to these challenges, Tubman endured with newfound intensity. Her physical strength, honed through rigorous field labor from her teens onward, complemented her growing spiritual strength. She developed a close connection to God, believing she had divine protection and guidance as she navigated her difficult life.

This accident also contributed to Tubman’s vivid spiritual experiences, such as powerful visions and dreams. These instances reinforced her belief that she was on a mission guided by God. The injury marked a turning point, fueling her bravery and resolve as she soon planned her first escape attempt.

Examples

• The lead weight incident left her with permanent damage, including narcoleptic episodes.
• Her burgeoning religious faith after the injury became a key source of resilience.
• Tubman viewed her vivid dreams as divine signals guiding her through danger.

3. The Decision to Escape and Redefine Freedom

In 1849, Tubman made the courageous decision to run away. After discovering a family document proving her mother should have been freed earlier, Tubman realized the injustice of her situation. Her master’s death that same year heightened her fears of being sold further South, prompting her escape.

Guided by faith, Tubman traveled nearly 80 miles to Philadelphia. Escaping alone and on foot under the cover of night, the journey was fraught with dangers. Yet, arriving in the city opened her eyes to a new world. For the first time, she saw free African Americans thriving in trades and professions, fueling her desire to not only remain free but also help those she left behind.

This first successful escape was just the beginning for Tubman. She adopted the name “Harriet Tubman” upon her liberation and began covertly aiding other fugitives, eventually becoming synonymous with the Underground Railroad.

Examples

• Harriet Tubman discovered proof her mother was illegally enslaved, igniting her defiance.
• Fleeing under the cover of darkness, she reached freedom in Philadelphia in 1849.
• She took on her new name as a symbol of her transformation into a free woman.

4. A Leader on the Underground Railroad

Harriet Tubman did not stop at attaining freedom for herself. By the early 1850s, she became an active conductor on the Underground Railroad, risking her life to guide escapees from the South. Her missions involved strategic planning and building relationships with abolitionist networks.

Tubman often rescued family members first, freeing her niece Kizzy and siblings before broadening her efforts. Despite setbacks like finding out her husband remarried in her absence, Tubman’s faith kept her focused. She made regular trips South and established effective strategies for helping others flee safely.

By 1854, Tubman had freed an estimated 30 enslaved people. Her unwavering commitment to leading others along the path to freedom earned her the nickname “Moses,” reflecting her leadership and determination to deliver her people from oppression.

Examples

• Tubman rescued Kizzy and her children with the help of family coordination.
• She continued missions despite personal heartbreak when her husband moved on.
• By following strict schedules and using winter darkness, she reduced capture risks.

5. Harriet Tubman Earned Respect as a Public Figure

By the mid-1850s, Harriet Tubman’s incredible bravery gained public attention. Abolitionists invited her to speak in cities like Boston, where she shared her rescue stories to inspire others. Tubman’s tales of navigating treacherous swamps and leading escapees to Canada resonated with audiences.

In one particularly gripping account, Tubman spoke about threatening to shoot a reluctant fugitive who wanted to turn back. Though harsh, her leadership and resolve were necessary to maintain group survival. After each story, her listeners marveled at her determination and ingenuity.

Her influence extended into activism in Canada, where she settled. Tubman helped establish a community for escapees in St. Catherine's and continued aiding her family. Her actions were emblematic of her relentless mission to secure lasting safety for those she freed.

Examples

• Tubman spoke about taking 25 slaves through perilous landscapes for freedom.
• She shared the story of pulling a gun on a man to ensure group survival.
• In Canada, she built a haven for freed slaves, enabling new beginnings.

6. Tubman’s Role in the Civil War

During the Civil War, Tubman shifted her fight for freedom to a military context. She began assisting the Union Army, initially serving as a nurse. Her dedication to aiding soldiers, including black troops wounded in battles like Fort Wagner, was groundbreaking.

Tubman transitioned into strategic roles, becoming a key intelligence asset for Union forces. She organized spies among enslaved communities in the South, collecting valuable information. This effort directly contributed to the Combahee River Raid in 1863, where her intelligence helped Union troops liberate 750 slaves.

Her outstanding contributions were formally recognized when she became the first African-American woman appointed as an official Union Army Matron. Tubman’s wartime service expanded her impact in freeing and safeguarding African-American lives on a grand scale.

Examples

• Tubman nursed black Union soldiers after devastating Fort Wagner battles.
• Her spy network uncovered plantation layouts and mine locations.
• Intelligence from Tubman’s spies enabled the liberation of 750 people.

7. Post-War Contributions to African-American Rights

Following the Civil War, Tubman dedicated herself to securing rights for African Americans. She worked on building schools for freed slaves, supported the Salvation Army, and campaigned for equal treatment for black Americans.

Tubman also became an advocate for women’s suffrage, aligning herself with Susan B. Anthony and addressing public forums to support voting rights. Her decades of activism extended her legacy far beyond her Underground Railroad work, connecting racial and gender equality efforts.

Despite financial hardships, Tubman raised funds for these causes with tireless commitment. By the end of her life, her activism had inspired countless others to continue her fight for justice and equality.

Examples

• Tubman collected donations for freedmen’s schools and relief organizations.
• She partnered with Susan B. Anthony on campaigns for women’s voting rights.
• Her speeches called for unity in the fight against systemic injustice.

8. Financial Struggles Despite Heroic Achievements

Throughout her life, Tubman faced financial difficulties. Even after the war, she received little recognition or compensation for her service. She relied on selling pies and taking donations to get by while continuing her charitable work.

Despite these struggles, her friends and supporters pushed Congress to provide her with a long-overdue pension. Until 1899, Tubman lived on meager income, yet she remained devoted to helping others. Her financial hardships reflect how little the government initially rewarded her tremendous sacrifices.

In her later years, Tubman used her improved pension to open the Harriet Tubman Home, creating a safe haven for African Americans in need. Even when resources were scarce, Tubman prioritized uplifting her community.

Examples

• Tubman sold baked goods to make ends meet after decades of unpaid service.
• Activists petitioned the government to grant her a military pension.
• In 1908, Tubman used her funds to establish a home for the needy.

9. A Legacy That Endures

Harriet Tubman’s life is a testament to courage and selflessness. Her work as a conductor, spy, nurse, and advocate has left an indelible mark on history. Tubman’s story inspires not just admiration but a call to action for continued social justice efforts.

Her recognition continues to grow, from her inclusion in educational curriculum to her planned appearance on the US $20 bill. Tubman’s enduring influence reminds us of the unyielding power of belief and justice.

Tubman’s extraordinary life is both a lesson and a legacy. Her name honors the timeless pursuit of equality and freedom.

Examples

• Tubman’s efforts freed over 70 slaves directly and inspired countless others.
• She is widely honored for her work advocating gender and racial equity.
• Plans to feature Tubman on the $20 bill highlight her lasting significance.

Takeaways

1. Recognize the transformative power of resilience, even when faced with life-altering challenges, by reflecting on Tubman’s approach to building strength and purpose after adversity.
2. Take inspiration from Tubman’s activism to channel personal convictions into meaningful actions that uplift others.
3. Advocate for systemic change by championing values of equality and justice, as Tubman did throughout her life’s work.