Harriet Tubman is an icon in American History for her work as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, a network of safe houses and secret routes designed to help slaves escape to freedom. Tubman was born into slavery in 1822 and escaped to freedom in 1849. She returned to the South multiple times to help other slaves escape via the Underground Railroad. Harriet Tubman was an abolitionist who helped rescue hundreds of slaves from plantations in the American South. Tubman was also active in the women’s suffrage movement. She was nicknamed “Moses” for leading her people to freedom.
It is estimated that Tubman helped rescue between 70 and 300 slaves during her lifetime—there are few records of this time period because it was illegal. In all, she is considered one of the most notable figures of resistance against slavery and an important historical figure of the early 20th century and beyond.
After the war broke out in 1861, Tubman worked as a nurse, scout, and cook for Union troops. She worked on plantations where injured Union soldiers were being taken care of, hiding supplies at her home nearby so they could be smuggled out to soldiers later on when they needed them most.
