It is September 1849. In the deep woods of Northern Maryland, a woman flees enslavement, moving stealthily through the cover of a

pitched black night, alert for patrols dispatched to hunt her down.

Try and put yourself into this woman's shoes.

Interminable marshes slow her progress.

Everywhere are frightening and decipurable sounds.

Wild animals in the brush,, she doesn't even know.

But the refrain of a familiar song repeats in her head.

One she'd sung surreptitiously for days before she fled, letting friends and family know her secret intention to escape.

Tonight, in her loneliness, the words bring some comfort at least.

I am bound for the promise land. I am bound for the

promise land. Oh who will come and go with me? I am bound for the promised land.

In the years ahead, this woman will bravely return and lead others again and again along these trails to liberty.

But tonight, it is only her, here in a night, drawing ever closer, her only guide

through the wilderness hanging overhead in the firmament, the Northern Star. her beacon of freedom. American history is crammed with countless stories of brave individuals accomplishing feats of courage and daring, pitting themselves against the fiercest

opposition, throwing caution to the winds determined to complete their mission.

And then there's Harriet Tubman.

Enslaved since birth, she broke free of bondage and escaped north to freedom.

Bravery, courage, determination.

And then she went back for her family.

Then again for others.

Then again and again and again and again.

Risking the seeming inevitability of discovery and

...