1. Underground Railroad Conductor:
Tubman's most significant role was as a "conductor" on the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved people to escape from the South to the free states and Canada. She made numerous daring trips into the South, leading groups of enslaved people to safety.
2. Scout and Spy for the Union Army:
During the American Civil War, Tubman served as a scout and spy for the Union Army. Her knowledge of the terrain and her ability to communicate with enslaved people provided valuable intelligence to the Union forces. She is credited with helping to plan military campaigns, such as the Combahee River Raid in 1863, which freed hundreds of enslaved people.
3. Nurse and Caregiver:
Tubman also worked as a nurse and caregiver during her time with the Union Army. She cared for wounded soldiers and provided medical assistance to those in need.
4. Suffragist and Activist:
After the Civil War, Tubman continued her activism by advocating for women's suffrage and civil rights. She became involved in the women's suffrage movement, working alongside prominent suffragists such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Tubman believed that the fight for women's rights and the fight against racial inequality were intertwined.
5. Public Speaker and Lecturer:
Tubman shared her experiences and advocated for social justice through public speaking and lecturing. She traveled extensively, sharing her personal stories and the struggles of the enslaved people she helped to freedom.
Throughout her life, Harriet Tubman's dedication to helping others, her unwavering spirit, and her contributions in multiple areas made her an iconic figure in American history, admired for her courage, determination, and compassion.