Several of the borough’s top elected representatives yesterday lauded U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew’s announcement that a picture of Harriet Tubman will front the twenty-dollar bill, moving President Andrew Jackson to the rear of the bill, making Tubman the first woman to have a picture on papered American currency.
Tubman, 1822-1913, was born a slave in Maryland and died in upstate New York. Her life was extraordinary on many fronts and included her role as an African-American abolitionist, leader of the Underground Railroad, humanitarian, Union spy during the Civil War and leading figure in the Women’s Suffrage movement.
The following are comments from elected officials about the honor bestowed upon her memory yesterday.
Central Brooklyn Congress Member Hakeem Jeffries: “Harriet Tubman is one of our nation’s most important and courageous leaders. She risked her life to free hundreds of black slaves in a manner demonstrating remarkable selflessness, traveling down south an additional 19 times after escaping enslavement.
“Harriet Tubman is a true hero whose story is as American as baseball and apple pie. The decision to place her on the $20 bill is another important step in the long running effort to heal the wounds of chattel slavery in the United States, one of the worst crimes ever perpetuated against humanity.
“President Barack Obama and Secretary Jack Lew should be commended for their leadership in delivering this well-deserved honor to Ms. Tubman, her family and the African-American community.”
Governor Andrew Cuomo: “Harriet Tubman was an iconic New Yorker who helped change the course of this nation, and she is well deserving of this distinction. She showed bravery and resilience in the face of injustice, putting her life and liberty at risk countless times for the freedom of others. Just as her home in Auburn, Cayuga County, stands as a landmark to her incredible history, this distinction will ensure that Harriet Tubman’s legacy endures for generations yet to come.”
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: “It’s extraordinary that Harriet Tubman, a civil rights icon and New Yorker, will get her rightful place on the $20 bill so that future generations of Americans will learn her story and the integral role she played during a painful time in our nation’s history. It is past due for a woman to be represented on our currency, and Harriet Tubman is a fitting choice for this honor.
Mayor Bill de Blasio: “Harriet Tubman risked her life to save others from the abhorrent injustice of slavery. Our government’s recognition of her immeasurable contributions reflects a growing national movement to be more inclusive of history’s great and diverse leaders. We welcome this day of acknowledgment and others to come.”
Public Advocate Letitia James: “Harriet Tubman was one of our nation’s earliest civil rights leaders and I commend the U.S. Treasury for choosing a truly courageous and heroic woman to grace the twenty dollar bill. Risking her life to help hundreds of African-Americans win freedom from slavery, Harriet Tubman left an indelible mark on history. The new twenty dollar bill will be an ever-present reminder of Harriet Tubman’s example, which inspires all Americans to fight for equal rights and justice, even in the face of great odds.”
