Washington Area Women's Foundation

Women’s History Month Q&A – March 13, 2014

Q: Which Maryland born woman in history escaped slavery in 1849 and is best known for being a “conductor” on the Underground Railroad, leading more than 300 slaves to their freedom?

A: Harriet Tubman, who had to leave her family behind when she escaped slavery in 1849. Despite a bounty on her head, she returned to the South at least 19 times to lead her family and hundreds of other slaves to freedom via the Underground Railroad. She spoke against slavery and for women’s rights, and during the Civil War she served with the U.S. Army in South Carolina as a nurse, scout, spy and soldier.