This Week's Story
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Harriet Tubman escapes to freedom, but then becomes a secret conductor on the Underground Railroad.
This Week’s Story relives American history and the Bible through brief inspiring stories presented on mp3 audio recordings and text for reading.
What a Woman!
What a woman! She wasn’t ugly; she wasn’t pretty. She did not catch your eye, unless you knew who she was. Then you’d gaze at her in amazement. How could one woman in the 1800’s do what Harriet Tubman did? She was an escaped slave, Underground Railroad conductor; a Civil War military spy, scout, cook, and nurse. She could not read or write, and had seizures and sleeping spells, but she also was strong, courageous, and quick-thinking.
Harriet was born around 1820 in the slave state of Maryland. As a child slave, her owners “provided” her with pain and no protection. With her family, she heard Bible stories and was loved. Her faith in God became practical and strong. As a five year old she was forced to check muskrat traps in icy cold rivers. Soon she was too sick to work. Her next job was caring for a plantation owner’s baby. She was whipped if the baby cried and had scars the rest of her life from those beatings. By age 12 she was a field hand, plowing and hauling wood. At 13, she tried to defend a runaway slave. His boss threw a two-pound iron weight towards him, but the weight hit Harriet in the head. Her seizures and sleeping spells resulted from this injury.
When she heard that she was to be sold to a chain gang, she immediately planned her escape to freedom. A white woman gave her
contact names and told her how to find a safe house. Travelling by night she reached the free state of Pennsylvania.
She said, “When I found I had crossed that line, I looked at my hands to see if I was the same person. There was such a glory over everything; the sun came like gold through the trees, and over the fields, and I felt like I was in Heaven.”
Soon she was working to save money to smuggle friends and family to freedom. She became a conductor on the Underground Railroad. This was a secret group of people, who cooperated to help slaves get to freedom.
Escapees were threatened with vicious dogs, beatings, and slave catchers who hoped to collect rewards. Always, there was danger!
Large rewards for Harriet’s capture were offered. Once she was nearly caught when she overheard men reading a description of her on a wanted poster, which described her as illiterate. Somehow, she got a book and pretended to be reading it. Oh, her tactics were many and clever. One rule she kept on escape missions: No returning! She carried a revolver and told fugitives who were tired and wanted to turn back or surrender, “You’ll be free or die.” She explained that “a live runaway could do great harm by going back but a dead one could tell no secrets.”
She was obeyed, respected, and never lost a passenger. For herself she expressed no concern. She is credited with making 19 rescue trips for over 300 slaves over ten years. Her reward was not money; it was freedom for her people.
Many fascinating events happened in Harriet’s work before, during, and after the Civil War. She believed that her life had a specific God-given purpose. She told an interviewer, “Now do you suppose he wanted me to do this just for a day, or a week? No! The Lord who told me to take care of my people meant me to do it just so long as I live, and so I do what he told me to do.”
This is Barbara Steiner with the story of the amazing Harriet Tubman.
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We invite your comments! [click here to comment]
I think this woman is really smart and strong. She worked hard to bring liberty for slaves. Admirable! from Francesca
Dear Francesca,
Harret is a great role model in dedication and determination. Leah
Well, I thought it was amazing that she helped 300 slaves to escape to freedom! from Rhett
Dear Rhett,
Harriet was determined to free slaves. Thank you for your input. Leah
This story was awesome! It made me feel like I have lots of things to be happy for that she didn't! from Conner
Dear Conner,
I agree with you. We are fortunate to have many freedoms in this country. Leah
What a woman! Harriet Tubman was such a clever and courageous person! I'm so glad you have this story on her life as it inspires us to lead a life like hers. from Micah
Dear Micah,
I agree with your comments. Hopefully, reading these stories will inspire us all to live an exemplary life. Leah
It was amazing to me how she was able to risk her own life to save the slaves. It's amazing that she save over 300 slaves in ten years. That is a lot of slaves to save. I like her catch phrase, "You'll be free or die". from Fatima
Dear Fatima,
I agree with you. Harriet Tubman was an outstanding woman! We see what determination she had when we read the phrase, "Live free or die". Leah
Harriet was a good woman and she helped hundreds of slaves to freedom. from Grace
Dear Grace,
Harriet is an outstanding example of faith and commitment to complete a mission that God has given. Leah
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