In a historic tribute to one of America’s most celebrated freedom fighters, Harriet Tubman was posthumously awarded the rank of brigadier general during a Veterans Day ceremony held at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park in Dorchester County, Maryland. The event, held on Monday, recognized Tubman’s remarkable service to her country and her role as a pioneer who courageously led efforts for liberation.
Governor Wes Moore, who presided over the ceremony, spoke of Tubman’s legacy with admiration. “Today, we celebrate a soldier and a person who earned the title of veteran,” Moore said. “Today we celebrate one of the greatest authors of the American story.” In his remarks, he highlighted how Tubman’s life and actions had shaped not only her home state but also the nation at large.
Escaping slavery in 1849, Tubman made her way to freedom in Philadelphia. Yet, she did not stop there; determined to help others break free from bondage, she established the Underground Railroad—a covert network that guided enslaved Black men and women to freedom in the North. Her courage and commitment continued into the Civil War, where she served as a scout, spy, and nurse for the Union Army. Notably, Tubman led a gunboat raid in South Carolina that freed more than 150 enslaved individuals.
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Governor Moore reflected on Tubman’s bravery in the face of great risk, noting that she could have remained in Philadelphia to support the cause from afar. “She knew that in order to do the work, that meant that she had to go into the lion’s den,” Moore said. “She knew that leadership means you have to be willing to do what you are asking others to do.”
During the ceremony, the official order elevating Tubman’s rank was read, followed by a symbolic pinning conducted by Tubman’s great-great-great-grandniece, Tina Wyatt. Wyatt honored Tubman’s legacy of sacrifice and service, stating, “Aunt Harriet was one of those veterans informally. She gave up any rights that she had obtained for herself to be able to fight for others. She is a selfless person.”
In recent years, Tubman’s legacy has continued to grow. Philadelphia has commissioned a 14-foot bronze statue of her, slated for display next year. In 2022, a Chicago elementary school was renamed in her honor, replacing a previous namesake with a history of racism. However, efforts to place her image on the $20 bill remain stalled, despite widespread public support.
For generations, Harriet Tubman has been celebrated as a symbol of courage and resilience, and this posthumous honor affirms her lasting impact on the nation she served with unmatched dedication.
