Harriet Tubman: The Moses of Her People

Harriet Tubman was born around 1822 on a farm in Maryland. Her original name was Araminta Ross, but her family called her Minty. Growing up as an enslaved person was very hard. She was forced to work for many different people who were often mean to her. When she was a teenager, a heavy metal weight hit her in the head while she was trying to help another enslaved person. This injury caused her to have seizures and vivid dreams for the rest of her life. She believed these dreams were messages from God that gave her strength.

In 1849, Harriet decided to escape. She was afraid of being sold to a new owner farther south. She changed her name to Harriet and traveled through the woods at night until she reached Philadelphia. This was a city where slavery was illegal. Even though she was safe, she felt sad that her family was still in danger. She decided to go back and help them find freedom too.

Harriet became a conductor on the Underground Railroad. This was not a real train with tracks. Instead, it was a secret group of people and safe houses that helped enslaved people reach the North. Between 1850 and 1860, Harriet made about 13 dangerous trips back to Maryland. She led about 70 people to freedom, including her own parents. She used the North Star to find her way in the dark. She was so successful that people started calling her Moses, after the leader who led his people to safety in the Bible.

During the American Civil War, Harriet helped the Union Army. She worked as a nurse and a cook. She also became a spy because she knew the land so well. In 1863, she helped lead a group of soldiers on a mission at the Combahee River. They rescued more than 700 enslaved people. She was the first woman to lead a military raid during the war. Her bravery saved many lives.

After the war ended, Harriet moved to Auburn, New York. She continued to help others for the rest of her life. She worked with leaders like Susan B. Anthony to help women get the right to vote. She also opened a special home to care for elderly people who had no one else to help them. Harriet Tubman died in 1913. She is remembered today as a hero who never gave up on the fight for freedom and equality.