Women Series – Moses

Private Collection

This is a painting of Harriet Tubman (Moses) leading slaves north to Canada. I painted this early in a series of 10 women who were instrumental in the desegregation of transportation. The first shared with my readers was Isabella (Sojourner Truth). (See post 11/20/2012)

Both of these women have outstanding histories known to school children as well as adults. However, we can never know all about their heroism and abilities in shaping lives and laws for the better. They are not alone by any measure as my research has taken me down many interesting paths. Women featured in the series are selected not only for their personal stories but also as emblems of the struggles and achievements of many (most?) women to make a difference.

The story about Harriet Tubman includes her bravery. She fled to safety for herself but made many trips of danger to bring others to freedom. It is said that her rifle was not only used for food and to make the journeys safe from people who would capture them. It was used as a prompt to keep frightened slaves from returning to a perceived safety of their masters.

In her hand is the apple, a symbol of the future. Its seed could be planted once they arrived in Canada to provide nourishment. The trees would remind them of their struggles and of their new life.

She was called Moses by all, even the bounty hunters. The Underground Railroad was not a true tracks-and-train operation. It was made up of daring whites and free Blacks who took them in, fed and clothed them and sent them on to the next ‘station’ until they reached their destination.

How did they know where to stop and seek help? In part, because of oral traditions of those who had been helped. But quilts left on the clothesline or porch were equally strong signals, as were Paul Revere‘s lanterns.

Who knew?

This interesting woman, a former slave, accomplished more than help slaves flee to safety.  She was a spy for the army in the civil war, wearing men’s clothes as a disguise. She worked with contraband people who had left their homes seeking the protection of the Union army. After the war, she helped former slaves and their families through the Freedmen’s Bureau. She settled in the north and provided shelter for her family and others.

Related articles

• Black History Month Quiz (njtoday.net)
• The Myth Of Harriet Tubman (theatlantic.com)

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