'American Hero' Harriet Tubman Of Maryland Could Be Honored At Capitol

WASHINGTON, DC — New legislation is in the works to bring a statue of Maryland native, former slave and Underground Railroad leader Harriet Tubman to the U.S. Capitol Building, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin announced Tuesday while at an event honoring Black History Month at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

“Harriet Tubman is an American hero, and it is an important way to honor her incredible contributions to our nation’s history by installing a statue reflecting her work in the U.S. Capitol,” Senator Van Hollen said. “Born in Maryland, she became a conductor on the Underground Railroad to lead slaves to freedom, served as a Union spy and pushed for women’s suffrage. She was tireless in her pursuit of freedom and protection of human rights, and she represents the best in Maryland and the nation."

In 2012, the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation to create the Harriet Tubman Statue Commission, which fundraises for the statue and assigns an artist to sculpt it.

Now, Congress must pass legislation in order to accept the donation of the statue. The Joint Committee on the Libraries, which manages art in the U.S. Capitol Building, will decide whether or not to accept the statue once it's completed.

“As Marylanders, we are proud that Harriet Ross Tubman was the first individual woman to have a National Historical Park named in her honor and a statue in the United States Capitol would be a fitting tribute to her incredible work and sacrifice that helped strengthen our nation,” said Senator Cardin.

Tubman was born a slave in Dorchester County around 1822 and returned to Maryland multiple times via the Underground Railroad to continue to help free slaves. After the Civil War, she supported the cause of women’s suffrage and was active in suffragist organizations. She died in 1913 and was buried with military honors.

Related Video: Rare Photo Of Young Harriet Tubman Discovered

WTOP recently stated that a new, 17-acre Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park is slated to open in Dorchester County the weekend of March 11. Federal and state officials will meet at the park for an opening ceremony on March 10, which is when Tubman died in 1913.

The park will include a visitor center, picnic pavilion and garden.

It was also announced in April 2016 that Tubman will become the new face of the $20 bill, replacing President Andrew Jackson. She is the first woman to be featured on United States print money.

"The Maryland Chapter of the National Organization for Women has been privileged to lead the effort to recognize this true American hero, and we thank the thousands of Marylanders who signed petitions and lobbied for a statue to this icon of freedom," Linda Mahoney, the President Emerita of Maryland NOW And Chair of the Harriet Tubman Statute Fundraising Commission said. "We look forward to being able to start the fundraising after Congress authorizes the placement of the statue in the U.S. Capitol, where Harriet Tubman can inspire many generations of visitors."

Photo: Ohio History Connection, dated circa 1887 by H.G. Smith, Studio Building, Boston.