You Can Remove
Her Picture — But
Not Her Power!
.
“I was the conductor of the Underground Railroad for eight years, and I can say what most conductors can’t say — I never ran my train off the track and I never lost a passenger.”
They Erased Her Image —
Not Her Impact
Name at Birth: Araminta “Minty” Ross
Born: March 1822 (exact date unknown)
Place: Dorchester County, Maryland — likely near Bucktown
Harriet Tubman was born into slavery on a plantation in rural Maryland. From her first breath, her life was shaped by the brutal system of enslavement — but even as a child, the seeds of resistance were already taking root. Though her birth name was Araminta, she would later adopt the name Harriet in honor of her mother — a name that would echo through history.
Around the age of 13 or 14, while still enslaved in Maryland, Harriet Tubman suffered a traumatic head injury. An overseer, aiming to punish another enslaved person, threw a heavy weight that struck Harriet instead. The blow nearly killed her and left her with lifelong complications — including sudden bouts of dizziness, pain, and what she described as powerful visions and dreams. Harriet believed these visions were divine messages, shaping her spiritual strength and guiding her courageous path toward freedom and liberation for others.
At around age 22, in Dorchester County, Maryland, Harriet married a free Black man named John Tubman. Around this time, she chose to change her name from Araminta to Harriet, in honor of her mother. Though still enslaved herself, this new name marked the beginning of a transformation — one that would lead her from bondage to becoming one of the most courageous freedom fighters in American history.
At the age of 27, she escaped from Maryland to Pennsylvania in 1849 after fearing she would be sold following her enslaver’s death. Traveling alone, she journeyed approximately 90 miles north to secure her freedom. Upon reaching Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she found a new life, free from the threat of enslavement.
Between 1850 and 1860, from the ages of 28 to 38, she became a key figure in the Underground Railroad, completing over 10 dangerous missions across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and even into Canada. During these missions, she helped free approximately 70 enslaved people, including her own brothers and parents. Often traveling under the cover of night, she relied on the North Star and secret networks of safe houses to guide her way. Her bravery and dedication earned her the nickname "Moses," as she led countless individuals to freedom.
In 1857, at the age of 35, she rescued her parents from slavery, successfully moving them from Maryland to Auburn, New York. There, they were able to live safely, free from the threat of enslavement, thanks to her courage and determination.
From 1861 to 1865, during the Civil War, at the ages of 39 to 43, she served in South Carolina, primarily along the coast, working for the Union Army. During the Civil War, Harriet Tubman served as a spy and militia leader with the Union forces. Tubman partnered with Colonel James Montgomery, an abolitionist who commanded the Second South Carolina Volunteers, a Black regiment. She served in multiple roles as a nurse, cook, scout, and spy. In 1863, she made history by leading the Combahee River Raid, during which she helped free over 700 enslaved people. She became the first woman in U.S. history to lead a military operation, solidifying her legacy as a pivotal figure in the fight for freedom.
After the war, Harriet Tubman continued her activism and advocacy for freedom. In 1869, she published her authorized biography, Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman, written by Sarah Bradford. That same year, at the age of 47, she married Nelson Davis, a Civil War veteran, in Auburn, New York. She also devoted herself to taking care of her family and community members, offering support and refuge in her home.
In 1896, at the age of 74, Harriet Tubman spoke at the National Association of Colored Women Conference, continuing her lifelong advocacy for women's rights and civil rights. Even in her later years, she remained a powerful voice for justice and equality.
In 1903, at the age of 81, Harriet Tubman donated her property to the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church to establish the Harriet Tubman Home for Aged and Indigent Negroes in Auburn, New York. This generous act provided a safe and supportive place for elderly African Americans in need.
At approximately the age of 91, Harriet Tubman passed away from pneumonia in Auburn, New York. She spent her final years in the rest home she had helped establish for elderly and indigent African Americans. Harriet’s life of courage, service, and unyielding dedication to justice ended, but her legacy continues to inspire generations. She was buried with full military honors at Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn, a testament to her immense contributions to freedom and the nation.
I built this site because Harriet Tubman’s legacy should never be erased — not by code, not by silence, and not by racism.
As a Black woman in STEM, I used my skills to make sure her story stands tall, visible, and unstoppable. This isn’t just about preserving history—it’s about pushing back against digital redlining, biased algorithms, and the forces that seek to marginalize voices like hers. By sharing her story, I’m taking a stand not just for Tubman, but for the future of equity, representation, and truth in our digital spaces.
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