Freedom Center unveils iconic Harriet Tubman statue

Two centuries after her birth, Harriet Tubman is honored for a limited time by an inspirational statue outside the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. The 11-foot bronze statue honoring one of humanity’s greatest heroes was unveiled at a ceremony at the Freedom Center March 4. The statue, titled the Beacon of Hope, will be on display through April 30. The Beacon of Hope, produced by Wofford Sculpture Studio, tells Tubman’s continuing story, amplifying her message of equality so all may hear it. In her hand she holds a symbolic generational key for people to unlock their own inner strength. At her feet are the yoke of slavery and the shackles cast off by Tubman and others she helped liberate, as well as the closed shackles of those yet unfree. The heroic Tubman’s hand is raised as a North Star for those seeking freedom. “It is the Freedom Center’s continuing hope that generations of children and adults alike will find the inspiration and courage to walk in Tubman’s footsteps, drawing strength from the powerful story of one of humanity’s great heroes. Like Tubman – who guided 70 enslaved people to freedom, never losing a passenger – we may find that we...