Harriet in the Union Army
Why Is Harriet Tubman A Notable?
Harriet Tubman was an American Bondwomen who escaped slavery and helped free many others from the terrible conditions that were present during those times. She faced multiple hardships and dangers, risking her life to bring support in abolishing slavery from her country. She was even an activist in the Woman’s Suffrage Movement, another reason Harriet Tubman is not just a viable notable to research, but a great one.
In 1822, Harriet Tubman was born into slavery, and served many cruel masters, many of which whipped and beat her often, and as a child, she suffered a major head wound after a heavy metal weight was thrown at her. In 1849, when she was only 29 years old, she escaped to Philadelphia, but later returned to Maryland to rescue her family. This daring action of bravery and courage was the beginning of her legacy, and she would later make many more trips to rescue and transport other slaves. She brought hundreds of escaped slaves into the ‘Underground Railroad,’ a network of underground safe houses that were built to aid African-American slaves free themselves from bondage. These audacious acts are what make her the perfect notable to research, but her benevolence extends far beyond helping others escape from miserable conditions.
When the civil war arrived, Harriet Tubman began to work for the Union Army, first serving as a cook and a nurse. She saw the war as an opportunity to shed light on the horrible conditions of slavery, and a step closer to the abolition of Bondage. She was hardworking and diligent, and her concentration paid off, as she soon became an armed scout and spy. As the first female to lead an armed mission in the war, she led the Combahee Ferry raid, which resulted in the freeing of more than 700 slaves. After her time in the army, she retired to her families’ property in Auburn, where she cared for her parents until she fell victim to pneumonia. She was a purely benevolent soul, and faced death to help others. These characteristics make her an undoubtable notable, and one that would be a great privilege to study.
After her death in 1913, she was remembered as a hero, and became an icon of liberty, heroism, and freedom. As well as this, she was a major activist for women's rights and womans suffrage. In her later years, Harriet Tubman worked to promote the rights of women, further extending her already glorious resume of benevolence. She attended meetings and suffragist events and traveled to New York to promote the ever-growing snowball for the rights of women. She was the key-note speaker in the first speech of the National Federation of Afro-American Woman. Unfortunately, this kindness was her downfall. She fell victim to poverty, contributing more than she could afford. Months later, she passed away.
Altogether, Harriet Tubman played an indispensable part in the progression of women's rights and the abolition of slavery in America. She saved thousands of people from the cruel chains of Bondage and served a somewhat major part in the war. None of these actions were done for recognition, fame, or wealth. They were done because Harriet thought them necessary, and because this brave woman could not, would not, let the horrors before her eyes go unfought. These are the character traits of a notable. Without her, our society would likely not be how it is today, because Harriet has risked her life, for us, and this is why I want to study Harriet Tubman as my focal point for Night of the Notables.