About This Lesson
This lesson examines the extraordinary life of Harriet Tubman, whose name has become synonymous with liberty and courage. Students will explore how Tubman survived brutal violence under slavery, escaped by traveling nearly 90 miles to Philadelphia following the North Star, and then risked her life on 19 return trips to lead hundreds of enslaved people to freedom.
Beyond the Underground Railroad, students will learn about Tubman’s critical roles as a Civil War nurse, spy and military expedition leader, as well as her later activism for women’s rights and her founding of a home for the elderly. Through historical analysis and discussion, the lesson highlights Tubman’s lifelong dedication to justice and asks students to consider how her legacy continues to shape our understanding of freedom today.
