Harriet Tubman was one of the greatest American women of the.

             Though she was a descendant of African.

             origin-- a group highly discriminated against in that time.

             period-- she achieved many accomplishments. Some of these.

             accomplishments included aiding the women's rights movement,.

             raising money for public education, opening a nursing home for.

             aged blacks, and even having a high school named in her honor. .

             She even worked as a spy and a nurse for the Union army in the.

             Civil War. Yet, her most famous and noted accomplishment was her.

             involvement in the freeing of hundreds of imprisoned slaves.

             through the Underground Railroad.

             Harriet Tubman, born in 1820 with the name of Araminta Ross,.

             was one of eleven children. Since her parents were slaves on a.

             plantation in Dorchester, Maryland, Harriet was born into.

             slavery. She was put to work at the age of five and served as a.

             maid and a children's nurse. However, little Harriet was a.

             feisty child, and often refused to follow her master's orders. .

             Many times she simply did not work as fast as the other slaves. .

             She was eventually moved from the house to work in the field at.

             the age of twelve. This was fine, because she preferred work in.

             the fields over work in the house. Many blacks preferred the.

             field, because they could talk to each other and laugh while they.

             worked. Slaves who worked in the house were under the constant.

             scrutiny of stern masters. .

             Sadly, like the majority of slaves during that time period,.

             Harriet was victim of cruel treatment. She, like her fellow.

             slaves, was forced to perform grueling labor from sun rise, often.

             until far after night fall. They were allowed a ten minute break.

             in the middle of the day so they could eat their cold ration of.

             bacon. When the break was over, the slaves were forced back out.

             into the fields. .

             Being the rebel she was, Harriet Tubman was often subject to.

             harsh beatings. When she was thirteen years old, she was hit in.

             the head by her master with a two-pound weight.