Her demeanor was that of a resilient, fearless leader. She was known for her confidence and decisiveness, which she needed in abundance to successfully lead hundreds of slaves to freedom via the Underground Railroad. As reported by those that knew her, her commanding presence was especially apparent during dangerous missions.
Tubman was a larger than life figure who was fiercely protective of the slaves she was leading to freedom. She was known to carry a gun not only to protect against slave catchers but also to encourage those she was leading to continue forward, even when they became fearful and considered turning back.
Sarah Hopkins Bradford, who wrote a biography of Tubman called Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman, recounted various instances of Tubman's unwavering spirit and intense leadership. One such example was when Tubman was leading a group of fugitive slaves and one man intended to turn back out of fear. Tubman pointed a gun at him and said, "You go on or die." She was very much a straight shooter and not so concerned with perception or tailoring her message to the audience.
Tubman took tremendous personal risks to lead hundreds of slaves to freedom. William Still, an abolitionist and conductor on the Underground Railroad, mentioned Tubman in his records. He described her, whom he referred to as "Moses," as "fearless" and "untiring," highlighting her resilience and determination. He described her as a leader who had the courage to go into the lion's den, who leveraged her strength to protect the innocent and serve her cause.
Tubman was known to be direct and frank in her interactions. She did not mince words, especially when it came to matters of justice and freedom. She once told a crowd, including those who didn't agree with her abolitionist views, "I had reasoned this out in my mind; there was one of two things I had a right to, liberty or death; if I could not have one, I would have the other; no man should take me alive."
Many of the existing photographs of Tubman show her with a stern or solemn expression, reflecting the gravity of her work and the struggles she had endured. Her eyes, in particular, are frequently noted for their intense gaze, which captures her indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment to the cause of freedom.
She was a natural and assertive leader who used her brute force to protect others. She not only guided slaves to freedom but also worked as a nurse, a cook, and a spy during the Civil War. She even led a military raid, making her the first woman to lead an armed expedition in the war. She was the type of leader who was willing to go down with the ship without needing to be seen as a hero in the eyes of others.
During her work in the Civil War, she collaborated with Colonel James Montgomery for a raid on the Combahee River, which resulted in freeing over 700 slaves. Her involvement in such direct and confrontational actions against the Confederacy is indicative of her propensity to challenge powerful opponents without needing to be the face of the heroism.
After the Civil War, Tubman worked for the rights of former slaves and for women's suffrage. Even in her later years, she didn't shy away from confrontation. For instance, she publicly challenged the U.S. government for her right to a pension for her work during the Civil War, a battle she eventually won.
In Their Own Words
"There was one of two things I had a right to: liberty or death. If I could not have one, I would take the other, for no man should take me alive."
“Never wound a snake; kill it.”
"If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, keep going. If there's shouting after you, keep going. Don't ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going."
"I prayed to God to make me strong and able to fight, and that's what I've always prayed for ever since."
"I was the conductor of the Underground Railroad for eight years, and I can say what most conductors can't say — I never ran my train off the track and I never lost a passenger."
"I freed a thousand slaves. I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves."
"I would fight for my liberty so long as my strength lasted, and if the time came for me to go, the Lord would let them take me."
"You'll be free or die a slave!" (To a man considering returning to the plantation during an escape)
Bio
Visions of Freedom Documentary on Her Life
Photo: Harriet Tubman, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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