Harriet Tubman

Explore the life and legacy of Harriet Tubman (c. 1822–1913), the American abolitionist and activist who led enslaved people to freedom, served during the Civil War, and fought for women’s suffrage. Discover her biography, major achievements, inspiring quotes, and enduring lessons today.

Introduction

Harriet Tubman is one of the most iconic figures in American history. Born into slavery, she escaped and then risked her life repeatedly to lead others to freedom via the Underground Railroad. Beyond that, she served as a spy, nurse, and scout during the American Civil War, and in her later years she advocated for women's suffrage. Her courage, faith, and persistence made her a symbol of resistance, liberation, and moral conviction.

In this article, you’ll get a richly detailed portrait of Harriet Tubman: her early life, her extraordinary missions, her influence on war and social justice, her most memorable words, and the lessons we can still draw from her example.

Early Life and Family

Harriet Tubman was born Araminta “Minty” Ross in Dorchester County, Maryland, around 1822 (some sources use c. 1820) during the years of slavery in the United States. Benjamin Ross and Harriet Green.

From a young age, Harriet experienced the brutalities of enslavement. She was often hired out to work for others: as a maid, nursemaid, field hand, cook, and woodcutter.

Her early years also involved being separated from family members and witnessing punishments. Such early hardships deeply shaped her resilience, empathy, and determination to resist and to lead.

Youth and Escape

Growing up under constant dehumanization, Tubman longed for freedom. In 1844, she married John Tubman, a free Black man (though her own status remained that of enslaved).

In 1849, facing the threat of being sold and separated from her siblings, Harriet made her bold decision to escape to the North.

Once free, she did not abandon those she left behind. Instead, she became one of the most famous “conductors” of the Underground Railroad, the secret network of safe houses and abolitionist supporters that helped enslaved people escape to free states or Canada.

She adopted her mother’s name, Harriet, in this journey of self-redefinition and resistance.

Activism, War, and Later Life

Role in the Civil War

When the American Civil War broke out (1861–1865), Tubman saw it as an opportunity to advance the cause of emancipation. She volunteered her services to the Union.

One of her significant contributions: in 1863, she guided the Raid at Combahee Ferry in South Carolina, a military operation that freed over 700 enslaved people there.

Despite her vital role, she was never fully compensated or recognized in her lifetime.

Women’s Suffrage and Later Advocacy

After the war, Tubman turned her energy toward supporting women’s suffrage. She joined and spoke at suffrage organizations, collaborating with activists like Susan B. Anthony.

Later in life, her health declined due to the lingering effects of her head injury and the years of hardship. In the late 1890s, she even underwent a surgical procedure on her skull without anesthesia (biting down on a bullet) to relieve pressure.

She died from pneumonia on March 10, 1913, in Auburn, New York, surrounded by friends and family. Her last words reportedly included the Gospel quote:

“I go away to prepare a place for you.”

In recognition of her wartime contributions, she was posthumously named a brigadier general in the Maryland National Guard in 2024.

Historical Milestones & Context

• Tubman lived through the antebellum era, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the early 20th century. Her life spanned some of the most tumultuous periods in U.S. history.

• The Underground Railroad was not an actual railroad but a covert network of routes, safe houses, and abolitionist supporters. Tubman’s expertise in terrain, local contacts, and secrecy made her one of its most effective operatives.

• Her role in the Civil War (especially Combahee Ferry) marked one of the few instances in which a woman led a military expedition in the U.S. conflict.

• Her later suffrage work tied the struggle for racial justice to broader fights for political equality—including women’s voting rights.

• In modern times, Tubman has become a central icon in discussions about civil rights, intersectionality (race and gender), and American memory.

Legacy and Influence

Harriet Tubman’s legacy is immense and enduring:

1. Symbol of freedom and resistance
   She is often called “Moses”—leading her people to freedom. She stands as a spiritual and moral symbol of resistance to oppression.

2. Model of courageous leadership
   She repeatedly risked her life, returning into danger rather than enjoying freedom alone. That selflessness inspires generations.

3. Bridging activism across domains
   Tubman’s work spanned abolition, military service, caring for vulnerable populations, and the women’s rights movement—showing how social justice work is multifaceted.

4. Legacy in memory and culture
   Her life is commemorated in statues, memorials, literature, film, and proposed appearances on currency (e.g., efforts to place her on the U.S. $20 bill). For instance, Boston has a Harriet Tubman Memorial (also known as Step on Board) with inscriptions of her words and depictions of her guiding others to freedom.

5. Inspiration for advocacy today
   Her life encourages modern activists to combine moral clarity, strategic thinking, persistence, and compassion.

Personality and Talents

From testimonies and her own words, Harriet Tubman emerges as:

• Deeply faithful and spiritually grounded
  She often spoke of divine guidance, trusting that God would lead and protect her missions.

• Fearless yet pragmatic
  She wasn’t reckless; she planned carefully, used intelligence networks, and balanced risk with caution.

• Compassionate leader
  Her motivation was rooted not only in her own freedom, but in liberating others. She cared deeply about family and community.

• Relentingly persistent
  Even when faced with illness, threats, and exhaustion, she continued her work.

• Humility with resolve
  She did not seek fame or accolades; her drive was duty and justice.

These attributes made her not just a daring rescuer, but a sustained force in multiple arenas of social change.

Famous Quotes of Harriet Tubman

Below are some of her most powerful and historically attested quotes:

“I freed a thousand slaves. I could have freed a thousand more, if only they knew they were slaves.”

“If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, keep going. If there’s shouting after you, keep going. Don’t ever stop. Keep going.”

“I never ran my train off the track and I never lost a passenger.”

“There was one of two things I had a right to, and that was death or liberty. One or the other I mean to have. No one will take me back alive.”

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”

“I can’t die but once.”

These quotes reflect her faith, determination, and unshakable belief in the possibility of freedom.

Lessons from Harriet Tubman

1. True freedom often requires sacrifice
   Tubman’s own path shows that liberation rarely comes without risk—and sometimes requires returning into danger for the sake of others.

2. Lead by doing, not just speaking
   Her example was embodied: she showed resistance through action, not just rhetoric.

3. Vision guided by strategy
   She balanced moral urgency with careful planning, networks, and alliances.

4. Resilience beyond adversity
   Despite trauma and chronic illness, she persisted in her mission for decades.

5. Intersectional justice matters
   Tubman’s life teaches that struggles for racial justice, gender equality, and social welfare are connected.

6. Legacy is cultivated
   Her memory is powerful today; how we remember heroes helps shape public values and collective identity.

Conclusion

Harriet Tubman’s life is nothing short of extraordinary. From enslavement to leading dozens to freedom, from serving in war to fighting for women’s rights, her journey transcends any single narrative. She exemplifies how courage, faith, and moral clarity—combined with daring action—can reshape societies.

As we reflect on her legacy, let us also carry her lessons forward: that justice requires bravery, that we must act for others, and that even in darkness, one persistent light can blaze a path for many.