Harriet Tubman was born into slavery but escaped in 1849 by following the North Star to Philadelphia. She then dedicated her life to rescuing others from slavery as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, saving over 300 people over 16 years without ever losing a person. During the Civil War, Tubman worked as a spy and nurse for the Union Army, and even led a raid that freed over 700 slaves. She was a strong advocate for abolition and women's rights who risked her life countless times to help others achieve freedom.