New Wax Figure of Harriet Tubman Unveiled In Washington, DC

Washington, DC – February 7, 2012
Black History Month – A wax figure of notable African-American abolitionist, Harriet Tubman has been unveiled at the President’s Gallery by Madame Tussauds. Ten direct descendants and family members of the historic icon were present at the unveiling ceremony. They include Charles E.T. Ross (great-great-great nephew) and Valery Ross Manokey (great-great niece/oldest living descendant on eastern shore). Children from Washington D.C.’s Harriet Tubman Elementary School also attended the unveiling ceremony. The exhibit is available for viewing at the Presidents Gallery of Madame Tussauds in Washington, DC – 1001 F Street, NW.

Harriet Tubman (born Araminta Ross, calling herself Harriet later in life) was an African-American abolitionist, humanitarian and spy for the Union during the U.S. Civil War. After escaping from slavery, into which she was born, she reportedly freed more than 300 slaves via the elaborate network of safe houses known as the Underground Railroad and became known as the conductor of the Underground Railroad.

The Atlantic slave trade took place between the 16th and 19th centuries. The vast majority of slaves involved were Africans from the central and western parts of the continent. They were sold by Africans to European slave traders, who transported them across the ocean to the colonies in North and South America. There, the slaves were forced to labor on coffee, tobacco, cocoa, cotton and sugar plantations, toil in gold and silver mines, in rice fields, the construction industry, timber for ships, or in houses to work as servants.

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