The Enduring Legacy of Harriet Tubman

Araminta Ross, who we later would know as Harriet Tubman, was born into slavery, and there are no records of the exact date of her birth. She believed she was born in 1825, but historians estimate it was probably between 1819 and 1822.

It has occurred to me often as we read this version of The Underground Railroad in our family that maybe just maybe Ms. Tubman would have been 200 this year.

Regardless of her actual year of birth, the hardships of this year have called to mind extraordinary people who’ve led under extraordinary duress. It’s hard to fathom inner strength like hers, and when I do, I’m completely inspired and grateful for her example.

When my five-year-old boy first heard this story, he thought it was a wild adventure tale. Then I told him it was a true story and it near blew his little mind. Now, it’s in regular rotation at bedtime. I love the graphic history lessons from Capstone Press. This one is Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad by Michael Martin, with illustrations by Dave Hoover and Bill Anderson.

Definitely one to check out for the young people in your life!