A seminar on Harriet Tubman reflects on issues such as slavery and unequal education that are going on today. The Harriet Tubman Booster Club is hosting a centennial symposium, “Harriet Tubman: No Longer Underground.” The two day event will host 10 lectures and a teaching workshopon the multi-faceted woman. Co-Chair Rosemarie Romano says people can find out more than was in the history books.
“…(for example) her Underground Railroad exploits, but the real woman underneath some of the myths and the legends is much more interesting. She had a real passion for freedom and for helping others. So she’s a great role model for us.”
Romano says Tubman’s work makes us aware that even today, slavery is still going on in the form of human trafficking. She adds Harriet believed in the power of education despite not having one herself. Tubman’s passion to helping others led her to support reforms to educate black girls and women. Romano is proud that all events have been recreated with the highest historical accuracy in mind.
“The more that we learn about her, the more impressed we are and inspired by her. I know her example has touched a lot of people. People have come here to see the Tubman home, to see her grave site. She’s very well respected, but not as well known as we’d like her to be.”
The rest of the weekend will host 10 speakers who will each represent a different facet of Tubman, including Maxwell Professor Douglas Armstrong who is presenting unpublished research. In his archeology digs, Armstrong has found artifacts that reveal the lifestyle of the people that Harriet gave refuge too. A kickoff to the Symposium starts tonight with a free performance of, “A Change Gon’ Come” documenting Harriet Tubman’s life beyond her role as an abolitionist. Cayuga Community College is hosting the event. For more information visit the website: Cayuga-CC.edu/Tubman.
