Harriet Tubman (born Araminta Ross; c. 1822 – March 10, 1913) was a courageous African-American [[abolitionist]], suffragist, and conductor of the Underground Railroad. Born into slavery in Maryland, she escaped to freedom and dedicated her life to assisting other enslaved people in their quest for liberty. Tubman was born into [[slavery]] around 1822 in Dorchester County, Maryland. Her parents, Harriet Green and Benjamin Ross, were both enslaved. As a child, Tubman experienced the cruel and brutal realities of slavery, including severe physical abuse that left her with lifelong health issues. ## Escape to freedom and Underground Railroad In 1849, Tubman escaped from [[slavery]], traveling nearly 90 miles on foot from Maryland to Pennsylvania, a free state. It was during her escape that she first encountered the Underground Railroad, a secret network of safe houses and abolitionists that helped enslaved people reach freedom in the North or Canada. Inspired by her own journey to freedom, Tubman became a conductor on the Underground Railroad, risking her life to help others escape slavery. Over the course of a decade, she made approximately 13 trips back to the South, personally guiding around 70 people to freedom, including her family members. Tubman was referred to as "Moses," a biblical figure who led his people to freedom, due to her unwavering commitment and courage. During her work with the Underground Railroad, Tubman collaborated with other prominent [[abolitionist]]s, including [[Frederick Douglass]], [[John Brown]], and Thomas Garrett. She was an important figure in the abolitionist movement, speaking publicly against slavery and advocating for its end. ## Civil War and later life During the [[Civil War]], Tubman served as a scout, spy, and nurse for the Union Army. Her extensive knowledge of the Southern landscape and her experience in clandestine operations proved invaluable to the Union forces. After the war, Tubman continued her advocacy for [[civil rights]] and equality, becoming involved in the women's [[suffrage]] movement. She spoke at various events, emphasizing the importance of voting rights for African-American women. Tubman settled in Auburn, New York, where she lived out the remainder of her life. She established a home for elderly and indigent African Americans, which later became the Harriet Tubman Home, a National Historic Landmark. Tubman passed away in 1913 and was buried with military honors at Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn. Harriet Tubman is remembered as a symbol of courage, resilience, and freedom. Her work on the Underground Railroad and her dedication to the [[abolitionist]] cause left a lasting impact on the fight against [[slavery]] and the struggle for [[civil rights]]. In 2020, the U.S. Treasury Department announced plans to place Tubman's portrait on the $20 bill, making her the first African-American woman to be featured on U.S. currency.