Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman is a very inspiring American. She helped many slaves escape to freedom. She was a great conductor in the underground railroad. The underground railroad was a system Harriet had used because it was easier to get from place to place.

Harriet was born as a slave in Dorchester County, Maryland, in 1820-1825. Harriet’s name given at birth was Araminta Harriet Ross. Araminta (Harriet) was one of nine children. Her mother’s name was Harriet Green (“Rit”). Her father’s name was Benjamin Ross. Three of Araminta’s sisters were sold, which made things harder for Araminta and the rest of her family.

When Harriet was a young girl, she was sent to get supplies and met someone who was trying to escape slavery. She protected him so his owner hit her in the head with a two pound weight. That injury affected Harriet for the rest of her life because it permanently damaged her head. She escaped from slavery in 1849, when she was about 30 or 35 years old. When she was helping slaves escape, she had a few nicknames that people had made up for her, such as Moses and General Tubman.

When Harriet’s owner got sick, she took it as an opportunity to escape. She went with her brothers, Henry and Ben, on September 17, 1849. Soon people started looking for them, so the boys went back. Harriet decided to stay and went all the way to Pennsylvania. It was about 90 miles altogether. Harriet decided to go help her family escape from slavery instead of staying safe in Pennsylvania.

Harriet Tubman used the underground railroad to escape slaves because it was a secret network of safe houses specifically to help free slaves. To get from Maryland to Pennsylvania, it was about 90 miles (and for the slaves,90 miles on foot!). Harriet had to change her route to Canada instead of Pennsylvania.

Harriet’s first mission was helping her niece, Kessia, get free in 1850 . But, then there was a law called the Fugitive Slave law, which said that slaves escaping could be captured in the north and become slaves again. That made Harriet change the underground railroad to Canada, where there were no slaves at all.

Harriet went back and forth from Maryland to Canada about 13 times and everyone she led to freedom made it safely. Throughout all 13 times, she led hundreds of slaves. Within all the people Harriet conducted, there were her own friends and family, and many strangers. She did many things during the Civil War, which includes being a nurse, cook, scout, and spy.

Lots of Harriet’s life she spent helping free slaves. Hundreds of slaves were freed by Harriet Tubman and the underground railroad and not only did the slaves gain freedom, but she saves lives! Harriet is known as the leader of the underground railroad! The facts I have listed are the reasons I think Harriet Tubman is an inspiring person.