harriet tubman

Harriet Tubman was an African American who fled slavery and then guided runaway slaves to freedom in the North for more than a decade before the American Civil War (1861-1865). During the war she served as a scout, spy, and nurse for the United States Army. In later years she continued to work for the rights of blacks and women. Harriet Tubman was originally named Araminta Ross. She was one of 11 children born to slaves. …

…civic pride of African American women. The NCCWA evolved into the National Association of Colored Women in 1896, although Tubman had only limited involvement in this organization. She also became a strong supporter of woman suffrage. In 1974, more than 60 years after Tubman's death, the Department of the Interior designated her former home in Auburn as a national historic landmark. In 1978 the U.S. Postal Service inaugurated its Black Heritage Series with a stamp honoring Harriet Tubman.