Central Business District in Cincinnati in Hamilton County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Harriet Tubman - The Beacon Of Hope

Photographed By Lou Donkle, April 9, 2024

1. Harriet Tubman - The Beacon Of Hope Marker

Inscription.

Harriet Tubman - The Beacon Of Hope. . , Harriet Tubman (born Araminta Ross ca. March 1822 - March 10,1913), was an American abolitionist, political activist, liberator, nurse, war hero, and human rights advocate. Araminta was born enslaved to Harriet Green and Benjamin Ross in Dorchester County, Maryland. She later married a free man, John Tubman (ca. 1844), and changed her name to Harriet in honor of her mother. In 1849, hoping to escape slavery and the constant fear of being sold south, Tubman made the treacherous journey north. She settled in Philadelphia and despite the danger, she returned to Maryland to rescue her family. She subsequently made at least 13 missions to liberate approximately 70 enslaved people, using a network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the underground railroad. Because she was considered a fugitive from the law who ventured behind enemy lines to liberate other enslaved people, she was compared to a biblical hero and given the name, "Moses.", In 1863, she became the first woman in the war to lead an armed expedition when she conducted the Combahee River Raid in South Carolina, which liberated more than 700 enslaved people. Later, Tubman was extremely active in the women's suffrage movement and advocated for assistance for orphans, the poor, sick, and elderly near her home in auburn, new york. Today, Harriet Tubman's legacy and commitment to the ideals of true freedom and equality have made her an icon of courage and determination.,

"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." - Harriet Tubman

, Artist Statement - Wesley Wofford, FNSS.

"Harriet Tubman-The Beacon Of Hope depicts the transformation of Tubman from her difficult origins to becoming a symbol of freedom and an American icon. She is a free woman reaching down with an encouraging hand to the viewer, and upon closer inspection, the viewer discovers a golden key in her hand. This "generational key" inspires viewers to reach within themselves to unlock the inner strength to forge their own destiny just as Tubman did. The oxen yoke is a metaphor for the yoke of slavery and she crushes this broken obstacle to the point of snapping it. It also illustrates the legendary story of young Araminta single handedly steering a team of oxen for her father. The piled shackles and chains depict all of the lives adversely affected by the scourge of slavery. The open shackles represent those freed by Tubman and others on the underground railroad, while the locked ones depict those not liberated until after the civil war. The closed manacles also symbolize the unfinished work ahead of us essential to achieving a just and equitable future for all. While Tubman used the north star to navigate out of bondage, she then became the compass rose to the thousands of enslaved who followed her guiding light to freedom., The Beacon Of Hope is a monument that tells Harriet Tubman's story, so that all may learn from it; that amplifies her message of equality, so that all may hear it; and that chronicles her journey, with the hope that we all find the inspiration and the courage to walk in her footsteps."

Harriet Tubman (born Araminta Ross ca. March 1822 - March 10,1913), was an American abolitionist, political activist, liberator, nurse, war hero, and human rights advocate. Araminta was born enslaved to Harriet Green and Benjamin Ross in Dorchester County, Maryland. She later married a free man, John Tubman (ca. 1844), and changed her name to Harriet in honor of her mother. In 1849, hoping to escape slavery and the constant fear of being sold south, Tubman made the treacherous journey north. She settled in Philadelphia and despite the danger, she returned to Maryland to rescue her family. She subsequently made at least 13 missions to liberate approximately 70 enslaved people, using a network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the underground railroad. Because she was considered a fugitive from the law who ventured behind enemy lines to liberate other enslaved people, she was compared to a biblical hero and given the name, "Moses."

In 1863, she became the first woman in the war to lead an armed expedition when she conducted the Combahee River Raid in South Carolina, which liberated more than 700 enslaved people. Later, Tubman was extremely active in the women's suffrage movement and advocated for assistance for orphans, the poor, sick, and elderly near her home in auburn, new york. Today, Harriet Tubman's

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legacy and commitment to the ideals of true freedom and equality have made her an icon of courage and determination.

"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." - Harriet Tubman

Artist Statement - Wesley Wofford, FNSS

"Harriet Tubman-The Beacon Of Hope depicts the transformation of Tubman from her difficult origins to becoming a symbol of freedom and an American icon. She is a free woman reaching down with an encouraging hand to the viewer, and upon closer inspection, the viewer discovers a golden key in her hand. This "generational key" inspires viewers to reach within themselves to unlock the inner strength to forge their own destiny just as Tubman did. The oxen yoke is a metaphor for the yoke of slavery and she crushes this broken obstacle to the point of snapping it. It also illustrates the legendary story of young Araminta single handedly steering a team of oxen for her father. The piled shackles and chains depict all of the lives adversely affected by the scourge of slavery. The open shackles represent those freed by Tubman and others on the underground railroad, while the locked ones depict those not liberated until after the civil war. The closed manacles
Photographed By Lou Donkle, April 9, 2024

2. Harriet Tubman - The Beacon Of Hope Marker
also symbolize the unfinished work ahead of us essential to achieving a just and equitable future for all. While Tubman used the north star to navigate out of bondage, she then became the compass rose to the thousands of enslaved who followed her guiding light to freedom.

The Beacon Of Hope is a monument that tells Harriet Tubman's story, so that all may learn from it; that amplifies her message of equality, so that all may hear it; and that chronicles her journey, with the hope that we all find the inspiration and the courage to walk in her footsteps."

Erected 2024.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Civil Rights • Women. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1822.

Location. 39° 5.838′ N, 84° 30.672′ W. Marker is in Cincinnati, Ohio, in Hamilton County. It is in the Central Business District. Marker is on East Freedom Way east of Rosa Parks Street, on the left when traveling east. The marker stands in front of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 50 E Freedom Way, Cincinnati OH 45202, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Berlin Wall (within shouting distance of this marker); The Burnet House (about 700 feet away, measured

Photographed By Lou Donkle, April 9, 2024

3. Harriet Tubman - The Beacon Of Hope Marker

in a direct line); World’s Largest Chime Foot Piano (about 700 feet away); Johnny Lee Bench (about 700 feet away); Marian A. Spencer (about 800 feet away); John A. Roebling Bridge (about 800 feet away); About the Labyrinth (approx. 0.2 miles away); Emery and Kroger Historic Foundation Walls (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cincinnati.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2024, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. This page has been viewed 42 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 13, 2024, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.