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Tubman was a abolitionist, spy, and scout. She was born a slave on Maryland's eastern shore and suffered from brutal beatings by her master. In 1849 she fled Maryland leaving a husband, parents, sisters, and brothers. She returned to the south at least 19 times to lead family and other slaves to freedom via the Underground Railroad. Eventually there was a 40,000 dollar reward on her head for her actions. Two things kept her going. A pistol at her side and her faith in God. She collaborated with John Brown in 1858 in helping him to plan his raid on Harpers Ferry. They had met in Canada where she told him all she knew of the eastern Underground Railroad. She promised to deliver aid from fugitives in the Harpers Ferry area. Brown wanted her to take part in the raid and she planned to be there but became ill and couldn't be there.

When the civil war broke out she was a nurse, scout, and spy for the Union forces. She nursed the sick for over 3 years and was wounded herself while tending the wounded. She made several trips into the deep south to spy to collect information. For all of her work she was only paid 200 over 3 years and had to support herself by selling pies, gingerbread, and root beer. After the war she lived in Auburn NY and continued to help black forge new lives in freedom. She cared for her parents and other needy relatives turning her home into the Home for Indigent and Aged Negroes. Lack of money was always a problem and she financed the home by selling copies of her biography and giving speeches. So, was she a leader? I would say so.

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15y ago

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