On Veterans Day, the state of Maryland posthumously commissioned Harriet Tubman as a brigadier general in the Maryland National Guard, marking a historic acknowledgment of the abolitionist’s courage and military contributions.
The ceremony, held at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor Center, saw Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Major General Janeen Birckhead bestowing the honorary rank upon Tubman.
This tribute comes as part of a recently enacted Maryland law allowing such recognitions and underscores Tubman’s legacy as both a national hero and a pioneering figure in military leadership.
Tubman’s great-great-great-grandniece, Ernestine “Tina” Martin Wyatt, received the proclamation on Tubman’s behalf. Wyatt emphasized Tubman’s dedication to freedom, describing her as a veteran “informally” who risked everything for others.
“Aunt Harriet gave up any rights she had obtained for herself to be able to fight for others,” she said.
The event recognized Tubman’s role as the first woman in U.S. history to lead an armed military operation. Known as the Combahee River Raid during the Civil War, her mission freed over 700 enslaved individuals and highlighted her tactical skill as a scout, spy, and strategist for the Union Army.
As Gov. Moore remarked, “There is nobody who defined ‘leave no one behind’ like Gen. Tubman.”
Tubman’s storied life has left an enduring mark on American history.
She escaped slavery in Maryland in 1849 and became a leader in the Underground Railroad, rescuing over 70 enslaved people through numerous expeditions.
Following her work for the Union, Tubman continued to champion causes for freedom, advocating for women’s suffrage and establishing a home for the elderly in Auburn, New York.
This recognition of Tubman as a general is one of many recent efforts to celebrate her contributions.
In 2022, schools across the U.S. were renamed in her honor, and earlier this year, the U.S. Mint issued commemorative coins featuring her likeness.
