Harriet Tubman

A portrait of Harriet Tubman. ( http://www.nps.gov/common/uploads)

A hero is someone who showed bravery and courage, and is admired for their brave deed and noble qualities.Harriet Tubman is a hero to myriads of people around the world. She led slaves to freedom and gave people an opportunity to experience a slave-free life. It was hard and she sacrificed her life and freedom to help slaves get a better life. Harriet Tubman impacted the lives of many people and was a light to their dark times. She gave people a reason to be free and motivated people on a daily basis. Harriet had a hard early life, she was the conductor of the Underground Railroad and led people to freedom, and she was a nurse and spy during the Civil War. 

Harriet Tubman was born in Dorchester County, Maryland in 1820. Her original name was Arminta Harriet Ross. She was the daughter of Ben Ross and Harriet ''Rit'' Green and had 8 other siblings which were all slaves as well. Her early life was hard and dark, as she was abused many times. Once very severely so that she developed a lifelong, chronic head injury known as epilepsy. Many of her family members and close friends often called her Minty or Moses. As a young child she was always a brave and a courageous girl. She once got beaten for protecting another slave. Harriet believed that no human being should have to be a slave, and she believed that people should live in a slave-free life. ''Every great dream begins with a dreamer. I would fight for my liberty so long as my strength lasted, and if the time came for me to go, the Lord would let them take me,'' said Harriet Tubman.  At the age of twenty-five she married John Tubman, a free African American. One night in 1849, Harriet escaped slavery. This was the beginning of a better life for many African Americans.

Harriet's actions in the time of the Civil War. ( ()http://www.albany.edu/news/images)

Harriet protecting her fugitives on their journey. (https://wilsonncteaparty.files.wordpress.com)

 One of Harriet Tubman's heroic acts is leading hundreds of enslaved people through the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad was a network of safe houses, where the fugitives could rest and regain energy. She knew all the routes to a free territory and she had to taken an oath of silence so the secret of the Underground Railroad would be kept secret. Harriet led the fugitives north during the night because it would be safer than in daylight. She made 19 trips to Maryland and freed 300 slaves. During her trips she would use a gun as a threat in case if anyone wanted to go back. She knew that if anyone would go back to the slave farms it would put Harriet and the rest of the fugitives in danger. In 1850, a new law passed known as the Fugitive Slave Law. The Fugitive Slave Law stated that escaped slaves could be captured and returned. Harriet's capture reward at one point was $40,000, but luckily she never got captured. A big help to the slaves and Harriet were Quakers. Quakers were free people who helped give shelter, food and guidance.''Quakers almost as good as colored. They call themselves friends and you can trust them every time,'' said Harriet. She was proud that she never lost a passenger and never got captured during her journeys. Harriet Tubman is very heroic for the many deeds she did for the slaves.

After her heroic deeds Harriet Tubman moved to Auburn, New York, where she died on March 10, 1913. She died of old age and pneumonia. Harriet Tubman was buried with military rites in Fort Hill Cemetery. Just as Harriet was about to die, she said to her friends and family, "I go to prepare a place for you.'' Harriet Tubman was a hero that served America and gave people a better life. She risked her freedom and life for others. She stood up for what she believed in and made a difference. She saved peoples lives and gave them freedom. Harriet led hundreds of enslaved people to freedom. She was a light to their dark times, and made our country proud. Harriet was a true hero that accomplished great tasks and deeds. She is greatly admired and honored all around the world for her incredible heart and deeds. Harriet Tubman is a hero that will always be honored and remembered.