Harriet Tubman Perseverance

This quote by Harriet Tubman truly exemplifies the strength and perseverance that characterized this amazing woman’s entire life. Born Araminta Ross, Harriet Tubman was an invincible lady bred into slavery in 1822, during a tumultuous time in American history. (Michals.) However, Mrs. Tubman had a mission. She deeply understood the travesty of slavery and would spend her life seeking freedom and justice for many slaves including friends, family, and herself. Undoubtedly, she was tired, she was hungry, and she was scared. But Harriet Tubman could taste the sweet flavor of freedom, and made this great escape her life’s great mission.
Harriet Tubman did not have an easy childhood. Born to Harriet Green and Benjamin Ross, she lived in a small,

Those who supported it were mainly in the southern states, who relied on slave labor to run large and profitable plantations. Northern states had outlawed slavery and allowed African Americans to live free and safe. Harriet Tubman would need to travel close to one hundred miles under the cover of darkness to find this freedom for herself, but she was determined. The journey was long and hard. Harriet had nothing except a small piece of paper with the name and location of a ‘safe house’ she was to find, but she was filled with hope. (Michals) She traveled precariously by night, following the stars; and if there were no stars, she followed the river; and if she could not see the river, she would listen for it as she navigated the darkness. She successfully found the house and was welcomed by anti-slavery supporters who quickly hid her in a wagon and transported her to her next location. Harriet perilously moved from safe house to safe house until she finally crossed the Mason-Dixon line. Here she met a couple who gratefully took her to safety in Philadelphia. In the end, she traveled ninety miles by herself and joyfully made it to freedom. Philadelphia was a welcome home for Harriet Tubman. She quickly found work as a domestic helper and could rest peacefully for the first time in her life. However, Harriet Tubman did not rest. After securing her freedom, she was consumed with thoughts

She had intended to help her husband, family, and friends escape to freedom. Little did Harriet know that her beloved spouse had already found a new wife. Devasted, she departed Bucktown, leaving John Tubman behind for good. Harriet used her connections from her first trip to bring her family and friends across the miles, this time to Canada, for freedom. She was so successful that she traveled back again for more slaves. And then again and again. Gradually a network of safe houses was established, and routes were becoming well-known. This passageway operated much like a train system and grew to be known as the Underground Railroad. (Wiki.com) Through this secret corridor, Harriet would eventually take nineteen separate trips and successfully rescue over three hundred slaves, never losing a single runaway. Harriet Truman’s great escape was a great triumph for