Who was known for their role in helping enslaved people escape to freedom through the Underground Railroad?

• A. Harriet Tubman
• B. Sojourner Truth
• C. Ida B. Wells
• D. Mary McLeod Bethune

Answer: (A)

Harriet Tubman is renowned for her instrumental role in the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses that helped enslaved individuals flee to free states and Canada. Tubman's own experience as an escaped slave fueled her commitment to this cause. She made numerous trips back to the South, leading dozens of enslaved people to freedom, often at great personal risk. Her bravery, strategic planning, and deep understanding of the terrain were crucial in ensuring the safe passage of those seeking freedom.

In contrast, the other individuals, while also significant figures in the fight against racial oppression and for civil rights, had different focuses. Sojourner Truth was an outspoken advocate for abolition and women's rights, Ida B. Wells was a pioneering journalist who fought against lynching and for civil rights, and Mary McLeod Bethune was an educator and civil rights leader known for her work in education and advocating for African-American women's rights. Each played vital roles in advancing social justice, but Tubman's specific contribution through the Underground Railroad distinguishes her legacy in this context.