May 6, 2025 – Maryland, USA – Harriet Tubman, the legendary abolitionist and conductor of the Underground Railroad, remains a powerful symbol of resilience and freedom more than a century after her passing. Her extraordinary life, marked by courage in the face of unimaginable hardship, continues to inspire people worldwide as her story gains renewed attention in 2025 through various educational initiatives and historical reflections.
Born into slavery around 1822 in Dorchester County, Maryland, Tubman endured a brutal childhood that included a severe head injury, which left her with lifelong disabilities such as narcolepsy and vivid visions she interpreted as divine guidance. Despite these challenges, she escaped to freedom in Philadelphia in 1849, only to return to the South approximately 13 times to lead over 70 enslaved individuals to safety through the Underground Railroad—a clandestine network of safe houses and routes. Known for her strategic brilliance, Tubman never lost a single person during these perilous missions, earning her the nickname “Moses” among those she liberated.
Tubman’s contributions extended far beyond her role as a conductor. During the Civil War, she served the Union Army as a nurse, cook, scout, and spy, playing a critical role in operations in South Carolina and Florida. After the war, she settled in Auburn, New York, where she became a fierce advocate for abolition, women’s suffrage, and human rights, collaborating with prominent figures like Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony. Her vision of freedom was revolutionary for its time, centering Black women, particularly those with disabilities, as liberators and emphasizing a communal, democratic approach to liberation.
In recent years, Tubman’s legacy has been celebrated through numerous initiatives. The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway in Maryland, a scenic route that traces her early life and daring missions, draws thousands of visitors annually. The Harriet Tubman National Historical Park in Auburn, established to honor her later years, offers a glimpse into her life as a community leader. In 2016, the U.S. Treasury Department announced plans to feature Tubman on the $20 bill, a decision that underscores her enduring impact on American history.
Tubman’s story also resonates in academic circles. A 2024 article in Ms. Magazine highlighted how her disability shaped her unique perspective on liberation, challenging societal norms of the 19th century and offering a model of freedom that was inclusive and collective. Historians continue to explore how Tubman’s experiences as a disabled Black woman in a patriarchal, anti-Black society fueled her activism, making her a timeless figure for discussions on intersectionality and justice.
As the world reflects on Tubman’s contributions in 2025, her life serves as a reminder of the power of resilience and the enduring fight for equality. Educational programs, such as those offered at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center in Church Creek, Maryland, which opened in 2017, aim to keep her story alive for future generations. Tubman’s legacy, rooted in her unyielding commitment to freedom, continues to inspire those advocating for human rights and social justice across the globe.
