Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman was a social activist who escaped slavery and helped hundreds of enslaved Africans. Harriet Tubman was born into slavery in March of 1822 and was beaten and whipped in her childhood. Tubman suffered from a traumatic head wound early in life from an overseer who threw a heavy weight at another slave but hit her instead. In 1849 she escaped to Philadelphia, only to return to Maryland later to rescue her family along with hundreds of others over the years. As a "train conductor," she returned to Maryland roughly 13 times, successfully guiding approximately 70 enslaved people, including her family and friends—to freedom without “ever losing a passenger,” Harriet quotes. Tubman was also a lead role in the Combahee Ferry Raid in 1863, when over 750 enslaved people were freed from slavery and Harriet became the first woman to lead a major U.S. military operation. In conclusion, Harriet’s traits included bravery, selflessness, and she stood up for others. She rescued hundreds of enslaved people and was brave because she put other people in front of her own life and helped them have a life and get jobs.