Annapolis Students Testify in Honor of Harriet Tubman

Three Annapolis girls testified Tuesday before the Maryland legislature in support of erecting a statue of Harriet Tubman in Washington, DC.

Jacqueline Foley, a freshman at and president of the Students Celebrating Harriet Tubman’s Legacy Group, said that Tubman has been one of her heroes since she was in second grade.

The effort is part of the Maryland National Organization for Women's effort to memorialize Tubman. According to the group's website, it is supporting legislation for the 2012 session that would authorize the gift of a statue of Tubman to be placed in the US Capitol.

The group also is requesting the president declare a National Harriet Tubman Day on March 10, 2013—the 100th anniversary of Tubman's death.

"I have always been fascinated by her story and of how she made so much out of her life," testified Jacqueline.

All of the students spoke passionately about Tubman.

"I can’t imagine how brave and smart she must have been to outwit dozens of men and their hounds from being captured over and over again while protecting men, women and children on a life or death journey," testified Veronica Gould, a seventh-grader at .

The students made their plea for Tubman to be recognized with a statue in the Capitol.

"A woman who has accomplished so much for freedom and equality deserves to be celebrated," testified Amelia.

The three students spoke before the Maryland Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, the Maryland House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee and the House Health and Government Operations Committees.