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Fifth Generation Niece of Harriet Tubman Speaks on Her Life Fifth Generation Niece of Harriet Tubman Speaks on Her Life

A look in the life of Harriet Tubman from the eyes of one of her descendants

By D'Andre Henderson

Michele Jones Galvin: A feelings of humility, and a feeling of honor, and a feeling of being blessed.

D’Andre Henderson: Are all emotions, Michele Jones Galvin feels when she thinks about her family’s history. Jones Galvin is a fifth generation descendant of Harriet Tubman and along with her mother they co-authored the book Beyond the Underground which chronicles Tubman’s life and her most precious beliefs.

Michele Jones Galvin: Freedom for every single human being in this country and the world she believe that no other person should own another person and I think we can all agree to that and that what her work was all about”)

D’Andre Henderson: Jones Galvin says that her book was written to show that Harriet Tubman was more than a hero and to dive deeper than whats in textbooks.

Michele Jones Galvin: To give everyone a more personal view of Aunt Harriet not just the iconic, historic view. She was a woman she was a wife, she was a daughter, and a sibling.

D’Andre Henderson: Over one hundred years ago, Harriet Tubman built her house brick by brick but now it’s a place you can come and learn about the many things about the Conductor of the Underground Railroad.

D’Andre Henderson: Harriet Tubman home which is now a historical park caters to those who want to learn more about Tubman’s life. Kimberly Szewczyk (says-WICK) is a park ranger who gives tours teaching the significance of the home.

Kimberly Szewczyk: This is where she spent 50 years of freedom after the civil war so these years that she spent here represents her years of freedom”)

D’Andre Henderson: Szewczyk says voices of Descendants brings so much more meaning to the life and legacy of Harriet Tubman.

Kimberly Szewczyk: Each one is very unique and different relationship with Harriet Tubman so by relatives telling their stories we get a richer more broad view of Harriet Tubman and who she was

FLEMING, NY (NCC News) – Harriet Tubman is known for being many different things, conductor of the Underground Railroad, a nurse and a spy. One thing many people seem to overlook about her is the life she lived behind the scenes of her notable titles.

Michele Jones Galvin, descendant of Harriet Tubman who co-authored Beyond the Underground: Aunt Harriet Moses of Her People with her mother said the book was to give readers an inside look into who Harriet Tubman, the person , was.

“She was a woman she was a wife, she was a daughter, and a sibling,” Jones Galvin said.

 

Joyce Stokes Jones
Michele Jones Galvin’s mother Joyce Stokes Jones.
© 2019 DAndre Henderson

Jones Galvin who is a coins herself a descendant biographer said her aunt’s stories  that aren’t publicized have a home in the book.

Jones Galvin said education is a must, and that her aunt would want children of every race and background to know that it’s very important to embrace going to school.

“Education is key, it shouldn’t be looked as something that you’re forced to do. Education is the key to understanding the world around you,” Jones Galvin said.

Kimberly Szewczyk, Park Ranger for The Harriet Tubman Home said the city of Auburn has many historical sites that are dedicated to Tubman.

Szewczyk also said, it’s important for family members of influential people to tell the stories that have been passed down from generation to generation, because there is always a value to knowing the personal side of public figures.

“Each one is very unique and different relationship with Harriet Tubman so by relatives telling their stories we get a richer more broad view of Harriet Tubman and who she was,” Szewczyk said.

With the new movie “Harriet” coming to theaters Nov. 1, Szewczyk said she expects more visitors to come to the museum within the next few weeks.

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