Historic Veterans Day Recognition for Underground Railroad Leader
Harriet Tubman received a posthumous promotion to one-star brigadier general in Maryland’s National Guard on Veterans Day. The ceremony took place at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park in Dorchester County, Maryland.
Governor Wes Moore led the celebration, calling it “a great day” for both Maryland and America. “Today, we celebrate a soldier and a person who earned the title of veteran,” Moore declared.
First Woman to Lead American Military Operation in Wartime
Tubman broke barriers as the first woman to oversee an American military action during wartime. Her military service included roles as a scout, spy, and nurse for the Union Army during the Civil War.
Moreover, she led a significant gunboat raid in South Carolina, successfully guiding 150 Black soldiers. This operation demonstrated her exceptional leadership skills and strategic abilities.
From Enslaved Person to Freedom Fighter
After escaping slavery in 1849, Tubman settled in Philadelphia. Rather than remaining safely in the North, she chose to risk everything for others’ freedom.
She established the Underground Railroad network, leading countless enslaved Black women and men to freedom. Governor Moore noted that “nobody would have judged Tubman had she chosen to remain in Philadelphia.”
Legacy of Courage and Leadership
The promotion recognizes Tubman’s extraordinary military contributions alongside her well-known humanitarian work. Her combined efforts as an abolitionist and military leader shaped American history.
Today’s recognition adds another chapter to Tubman’s remarkable legacy. Governor Moore celebrated her as “one of the greatest authors of the American story.”
The ceremony brought together dozens of attendees to honor Tubman’s memory. This promotion acknowledges her military service while highlighting her broader impact on American freedom.
