Harriet Tubman

From Hardship to Hero

Harriet Tubman is a hero and a leader. Her actions directly impacted many lives, but she also became an idol to follow. She was born as a slave in the United States around 1820. In 1847, she escaped from the plantation she was unwillingly working at. Her journey was long and strenuous; she walked over 90 miles, following a river. After her escape she worked in a hotel. It wasn’t long before she joined the Underground Railroad, which was a system to help enslaved people escape. She saved over 300 people in only 13 years. 

I chose Harriet Tubman because she made such an impact on the lives she helped. I thought that her actions were heroic, and couldn’t go unseen. I also researched her in the past, so I know a lot about her, and the impact she has on people. 

I consider her a hero for her courage and her big heart. After she escaped, she could have continued her life without putting her life on the line again. But she chose to help friends, family members, and even strangers earn their well-deserved freedom. 

To me, Harriet Tubman is relevant because her courage inspires me. I aspire to be more confident in myself and to speak up when something is wrong. Usually I choose to keep quiet or ignore things that definitely require my attention. I think this is because I am afraid of the outcome and how I might hurt someone’s feelings. But Harriet Tubman is an example of how she stood her ground, knowing exactly what was right and what needed to change. More people can also relate to her because of her selflessness to help others in need. 

Without Harriet Ross Tubman and people like her, who advocate for themselves and others, the world would be a very different place, and not for the better.

Harriet Tubman DrawingOriginal Work