Every trip on the Underground Railroad had a conductor or leader. The leader knew the way North and helped bring the slaves to freedom. One of the most famous conductors was a woman named Harriet Tubman.

Ever since Harriet Tubman was 13 years old, she knew she did not like being a slave. One night in 1849, when Harriet was grown, she ran away. She ran north to the city of Philadelphia to keep from being sold away from her family.

Harriet liked being free and wanted to help other slaves. She went from the South to the North more than ten times. She brought her parents and six of her brothers and sisters to Philadelphia. She helped 300 slaves get to freedom.

Harriet knew the best ways to go north. She knew how to find the safe houses or stations. She could trick any slave catcher into losing her. Harriet was strong and smart and kept all of her passengers safe. She was a great leader for the runaway slaves on the Underground Railroad.

Harriet Tubman was born in 1820 and died in 1913.