Araminta Ross: Integral Part Of The Under-Ground Railroad

Araminta Ross, famously known as Harriet Tubman, was an integral part of the Under- ground Railroad. She was also an abolitionist, humanitarian, a Union nurse and spy during the American Civil War. Born into slavery, Harriet and two of her brothers ran away after their mas- ter’s death in fear that they would be sold off. They turned back and returned to the plantation after her brothers had second thoughts, however, not long after, Harriet fled on her own. She traveled at night, using the North Star and instructions from helpers in the Underground Railroad to guide her. Once she reached Philadelphia she began making plans to help her family and other slaves escape to safety. Harriet became heavily involved in antislavery organizations, including the Underground Railroad. …show more content…
By 1847 the city maintained a population of twenty thousand blacks, only a small percentage of them being native born (47). To fugitives, Philadelphia was a safe haven. “It not only became a beacon for fugitive slaves but also an important mecca for black reformers in nineteenth-century America” (Clinton 48). In Philadelphia Harriet was able to enjoy basic things that she wasn’t able to do in Maryland. As perfect as Philadelphia sounded, Harriet was still in danger. As a fugitive, Harriet assumed a new identity to avoid getting caught and brought back. She changed her name from Araminta to Harriet, her mother’s name, but kept her husband’s name. Thus Harriet Tubman came into play. Determined to save her family members and any other slave willing to come along, Harriet got involved with the