Harriet Tubman

HARRIET –Born circa 1820 a slave and originally named Araminta “Minty” Ross. Harriett changed her name in 1849 after she escaped, taking the name of her mother and last name of her husband. She is best known as the most famous conductor of the Underground Railroad, a covert network of people (African Americans and white) that assisted fugitive slaves as they escaped from slavery in the South.  As the conductor she guided over 300 slaves to Freedom in a decade. She continuously worked to save money and save more slaves and supporters of the Underground Railroad also provided her with funds and shelter to support her trips. Although she remained illiterate for her entire life, during the civil war Harriet Tubman served as a nurse, cook, laundress, spy and scout. After the Emancipation proclamation, Harriet returned to Auburn, NY and opened her doors to those in need. She raised money to open schools for African Americans, gave speeches on Women rights and dreamt of one day building a home for the elderly. In 1908 the Harriet Tubman Home for the Elderly was inaugurated. We are proud to celebrate Harriet as part of the Icon collection.