Harriet Tubman, the iconic abolitionist and Underground Railroad leader, was posthumously awarded the rank of brigadier general in Maryland’s National Guard during a Veterans Day ceremony on November 11, 2024. The commemoration, held at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park in Dorchester County, Maryland—Tubman’s birthplace—marked a historic recognition of her extraordinary contributions to freedom and the nation’s military history.
A Historic Ceremony
The ceremony, attended by descendants, community members, and state leaders, was led by Maryland Governor Wes Moore, the state’s first Black governor and a veteran himself. Governor Moore described Tubman as “one of the greatest authors of the American story,” highlighting her unparalleled bravery and leadership.
“Today, we celebrate a soldier and a person who earned the title of veteran,” Moore stated. “She knew that in order to do the work, that meant that she had to go into the lion’s den. Leadership means you have to be willing to do what you are asking others to do.”
Maj. Gen. Janeen Birckhead, who leads Maryland’s National Guard, emphasized that this recognition was long overdue. Birckhead praised Tubman’s courage, sacrifice, and leadership, which she said had advanced the survival of a nation.
Harriet Tubman: Soldier and Freedom Fighter
Born into slavery in 1822 in Dorchester County, Tubman escaped bondage in 1849. Settling in Philadelphia, she soon dedicated her life to helping others achieve freedom, becoming a leader of the Underground Railroad. Over 11 years, Tubman returned to Maryland at least 13 times, rescuing an estimated 70 enslaved people and guiding them to freedom. She operated under constant threat of capture and severe punishment but remained steadfast in her mission.
During the Civil War, Tubman expanded her role, serving as a scout, spy, nurse, and leader for the Union Army. She became the first woman in U.S. history to lead an armed military operation, spearheading the Combahee River Raid in South Carolina, which freed over 700 enslaved people.
“Aunt Harriet was one of those veterans informally,” said Ernestine “Tina” Martin Wyatt, Tubman’s great-great-great-grandniece, who received the honorary commission on Tubman’s behalf. “She gave up any rights that she had obtained for herself to be able to fight for others.”
A Legacy That Endures
Tubman’s legacy is woven into the fabric of American history. She is celebrated not only for her abolitionist work but also for her role as a freedom fighter who embodied the military ethos of “leave no one behind.”
Following the Civil War, Tubman became a vocal advocate for women’s suffrage and established a home for the elderly in Auburn, New York, where she lived until her death in 1913. She was buried with military honors at Fort Hill Cemetery.
In addition to Monday’s honor, Tubman’s contributions have been recognized through numerous historical sites, schools, and memorials, including the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park. Earlier this year, the U.S. Mint released commemorative coins celebrating her legacy.
A National Moment
Governor Moore framed the ceremony as not just a milestone for Maryland but for the entire United States. “There is nobody who defined ‘leave no one behind’ in the way that Gen. Tubman left no one behind,” Moore said.
This posthumous recognition reinforces Tubman’s rightful place among America’s military leaders and exemplifies her enduring impact on the nation’s pursuit of justice, freedom, and equality.
