On Veterans Day, Harriet Tubman, the celebrated abolitionist and pioneering figure in American history, was posthumously awarded the rank of one-star brigadier general in Maryland's National Guard. The ceremony took place at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park in Church Creek, Maryland, marking an honor for both Tubman’s legacy and her home state.
Governor Wes Moore described the tribute as “a great day” for the state and the nation. "Today, we celebrate a soldier and a person who earned the title of veteran," he remarked, lauding Tubman as "one of the greatest authors of the American story."
Tubman, who escaped slavery in 1849, went on to establish the Underground Railroad, leading numerous enslaved individuals to freedom. During the Civil War, she served as a Union Army scout, spy, and nurse, even guiding Black soldiers on a successful raid in South Carolina. Moore highlighted her bravery, saying, “She knew that leadership means you have to be willing to do what you are asking others to do.”
The ceremony included a symbolic pinning of Tubman’s general insignia by her descendant, Tina Wyatt. Wyatt spoke to Tubman’s enduring legacy of courage and service, asserting that Veterans Day is just as fitting for her. “Aunt Harriet was one of those veterans informally,” Wyatt said. “She gave up any rights that she had obtained for herself to be able to fight for others. She is a selfless person.”
Tubman’s historical stature has been increasingly recognized in recent years. Philadelphia commissioned a 14-foot bronze statue of Tubman, set for unveiling next year, and a Chicago school was recently renamed in her honor. However, plans to feature her on the $20 bill remain unfulfilled.
Link: NPR
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