Harriet TubmanIn the 1840s and 1850s, American abolitionists were a small minority in all parts of the country. Harriet Tubman was one of the women who joined the attack on slavery. She stood out from most other abolitionists. The evidence I am about to present to you shows how she was not content simply to be free or even to give speeches against slavery. Harriet Tubman played an important role in the abolitionist movement because she put her ideas into practice. Harriet was born a slave in Bucktown, Maryland 1. From birth, she was taught to be wary of white men. Two of her sisters had been sold to a slave trader, and she had sworn that she would never let that happen to her.2 From my reading, Harriet Tubman seemed different from most of the other slaves around her. She had a rebellious character and was always in trouble. Her parents introduced her to religion, thinking that perhaps it would crush her rebellious nature. One way to deal with a difficult child was religion. Ben and Rit [Harriet's parents] attended church regularly and Harriet learned Bible verses. His favorite was “Lo¹, I am always with you, even until the end of the world”. She also loved Bible verses about deliverance. If she heard of a runaway slave heading north, she would think of the verse “Hide the outcast; do not betray him who errs. (Bentley p.16) 3So, even as a young girl, Harriet was already thinking about deliverance and fugitive slaves heading north. She had heard of revolts and rebellions against slavery, and knowing Harriet's condition, I am sure she encouraged them. Harriet went to great lengths to protect her fellow slaves. Like all the other slaves, she too hated slavery. But I think there was more to slavery than just hatred, for Harriet. In one case, she risked her life to protect a slave named Jim from being beaten. She refused to move when a white supervisor asked her to help tie Jim up for whipping. When Jim ran away, Harriet stopped the supervisor from chasing Jim. So he caught a 2 pounder. weight and threw it towards Jim. The weight instead hit Harriet in the forehead and Jim fled.4 Fortunately, Harriet survived her near-death experience. “The mark on Harriet’s forehead remained a visible scar from the brutality of slavery. The wound sank deep into her heart.² (Bentley p.24)In 1849, Harriet's master, Edward Brode...... middle of paper...... inspiration and the hope she gave to her people. Harriet was even nicknamed “Moses” by the people she saved. She did what others were too afraid to do. It wasn't guaranteed that Harriet would succeed in every mission. In my eyes, she had a lot to lose if she was caught, but I think she felt like at least she had saved a few slaves. What a sacrifice! Harriet Tubman was more than a former slave turned abolitionist. She was also a nurse and a spy for the Union Army. Always ready to turn her dreams into action, she joined the war effort in 1861. Harriet was probably the first woman, black or white, to go to the battle front. 9 The army used her as a spy, liaison officer and nurse. So even when she wasn't taking groups of slaves to the North, she was still helping others. What an incredible woman! Harriet's diligence to do good and her determination to persevere until her goal was achieved inspires me to this day. I admire Martin Luther King Jr. and many other abolitionists, but.