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Harriet Tubman Day
March 10, 1990 - 2006
Harriet
Tubman Day
was
organized in the 1960’s and celebrated during the month of June
(Father’s Day) by the late *Addie Clash Travers, Cambridge,
Maryland. The day included a commemorative program at the
historical Bazel Methodist Episcopal Church, Bucktown, Maryland.
Vivian Abdur-Rahim met Aunt Addie during several visits
to Dorchester County (1979-84), following telephone calls with
Gloria Henry, Dorchester County Public Library in Cambridge. She
later shared her idea with Mrs. Travers about Harriet Tubman
Day, March 10, 1990. Aunt Addie agreed and the Harriet
Tubman Historical Society & The Harriet Tubman Association,
Dorchester County, Maryland joined together and celebrated the
first national Harriet Tubman Day including the Harriet Tubman
Underground Railroad Freedom tour; the spiritual pilgrimage from
Delaware to Dorchester County, and Banquet in Cambridge,
Maryland, March 10, 1990.
March 10,
1989, The Harriet Tubman Historical Society contacted WILM to
share the idea for the first national Harriet Tubman Day, and
worked night and day making telephone calls, mailing 5,000
letters, throughout the country to elected officials, national
organizations, schools, media, and the general public.
Widespread support was received. After numerous responses from
Governors, Mayors, and *Helen Smith, St. Catharines Ontario,
Canada, and an interview with the News Journal Company. Sen.
Joseph Biden, *Sen.William V. Roth and Rep. Thomas Carper (DE).
Senator Joseph Biden and *Senator William Bill Roth sponsored (SJR.
257); Rep. Carper (DE) sponsored (HJR 479). March 10, 1990 was
declared Harriet Tubman Day by the President and United States
Congress. (PL 101-252). Mayors, Schools, Organizations, and St.
Catharines, Ontario Canada celebrated Harriet Tubman Day, the
first designated National Day for America’s heroine, Harriet
Ross Tubman.
The Harriet
Tubman Historical Society’s goals are to support the first
National Holiday to recognize the achievements and contributions
of Women throughout the World, past and present. March 10,
Harriet Tubman Day is suggested for the first National Holiday
during Women History Month. This day should focus on the
contributions and achievements and issues that affect women and
their families with goals to improve their quality of life
during the 21st century.
Addie Clash Travers,
Cambridge, Maryland
Write:
Harriet Tubman
National Holiday
P.O. Box 832127
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Wilmington, DE
(302) 762-8010
http://www.harriettubman.com
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