Legendary Abolitionist Harriet Tubman to Replace Andrew Jackson on the Front of the New $20 Bill

Harriet Tubman

In an incredibly wonderful karmic twist, the U.S. Treasury Department officially announced that the legendary abolitionist Harriet Tubman, who dedicated her life to freeing thousands of slaves through the Underground Railroad network will be replacing the current portrait of Andrew Jackson, who was a slave-owner while he held office as President, on the obverse (front) of the United States twenty-dollar bill by the year 2020. Mr. Jackson, instead, will be moved to the back of the bill.

The front of the new $20 will feature the portrait of Harriet Tubman, whose life was dedicated to fighting for liberty. The reverse of the new $20 will display The White House and an image of President Andrew Jackson. …Harriet Tubman was born into slavery. After she escaped, she became a conductor on the Underground Railroad, helping slaves escape to freedom. During the Civil War, she was active in the Union cause, serving as a nurse, a cook, and a scout, gathering intelligence. Looking back on her life, Harriet Tubman said, “I would fight for liberty so long as my strength lasted.” After the war, she supported the cause of women’s suffrage and was active in suffragist organizations. She died in 1913 and was buried with military honors.

image via Wikimedia Commons

via New York Times

Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.

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