Journey to Freedom: Harriet Tubman Still on the Move, part 2 by Maria Dintino

Part 1 appeared yesterday

Additional Developments

Although there’s a significant dearth of statues depicting real women in our country, Tubman’s image and legacy have done much to address this gap and put a serious dent in the bronze ceiling.

There are said to be at least 9 full-figure sculptures of Tubman with others in the works, along with plaques, busts,  parks and museums named in her honor. Also, three commemorative coins have been released, each depicting a particular phase in Tubman’s life.

Speaking of currency, the plan to replace President Andrew Jackson’s image with that of Harriet Tubman’s on the twenty-dollar bill is still in the works. It’s an important endeavor that’s taking far too long. Annie Linskey with The Philadelphia Tribune explains:

“There has never been a Black person on the U.S. currency, nor has there been a woman on a bill in the modern era, despite repeated attempts to diversify the currency.”

According to her website, New Hampshire’s Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who has led this effort for years, renewed the push with the Harriet Tubman Tribute Act of 2023. She has become increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress.

“If we can put a helicopter on Mars, we ought to be able to design a $20 bill in less than 20 years,” Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., said in an interview. “It’s all about commitment”(Linskey).

The latest update informs that the Harriet Tubman $20 bill should be arriving around 2030. While it seems an outrageous amount of time to make this happen (14 years), thanks to Senator Shaheen and others, it’s still in the works. [see author’s note before for updated information]

Senator Shaheen shares:

“Images on U.S. paper currency are a reflection of our values and history, and more than that, these images send a message to Americans and world travelers about the story of America. Some of the most significant chapters in our collective history were shaped by women, which is why it’s egregious that a woman has never been featured on U.S. paper currency. That status quo has got to go…An abolitionist, a patriot and an American icon – Harriet Tubman is supremely deserving of this honor”(https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press/shaheen-renews-push-to-put-harriet-tubman-on-20-bill).

Harrietts Bookshop

Jeannine Cook in front Harriett’s Bookshop in Philadelphia.

Another spark of hope and beauty I discovered while reading articles about Tubman’s traveling sculpture is entrepreneur Jeannine Cook, owner of a bookshop in Philadelphia named for Tubman, Harriett’s Bookshop. (The name is spelled with a double T to honor both Harriets –Tubman and her mother from whom younger Harriet took her name, being born Araminta “Minty” Ross.)

In addition to this bookshop, Cook has recently opened another in nearby Collingswood, New Jersey named Ida’s Bookshop, after Ida B. Wells (1862-1931), a woman born enslaved in Mississippi who, emancipated after the Civil War, went on to become an investigative journalist, educator and staunch advocate for civil rights and women’s right.

Jeannine Cook’s bookstore, or two as it is now, “specialize in books by black and women authors. Her store is also a community space ‘for folks to come together, discuss ideas, and debate in a healthy way’”(Harden).

Upon hearing about the Tubman sculpture, The Journey to Freedom, Jeannine Cook had this important point to add:

“One thing I want to say while we are celebrating is that it’s really important that, yes, we have the statue and that’s a symbolic victory in many ways, because in Philadelphia there isn’t a statue to Harriet Tubman after all she did for the city, bringing people here to freedom.

“But at the same time, it’s more important, in my opinion, that we are able to hold up actual policies that we can say connects back to her legacy. As opposed to us just having symbolic victories, we should also be striving to have substantive victories as well”(Whittaker).

Let’s Keep This Journey Moving!

Finding ways to uphold policies that protect civil rights and women’s rights, as well as playing a role in devising new policies, is critical, even in overwhelming times such as these.

Further, we can raise our voices, put our smarts and money where they can have the biggest impact, and some of us “nasty women” can run for office and hold positions in our communities and states. A big thank you to those who do any and all of the above.

It’s time public art starts to convey complete and true stories. It’s time public art is inclusive of women, women of all backgrounds and experiences. It’s long overdue and although there’s much work to be done, the current momentum to break the bronze ceiling provides hope.

Harriet Tubman is a Nasty Woman Activist for whom we are abundantly and perpetually grateful.

Author’s Note: It was brought to my attention that on Harriet Tubman Day, March 10, 2025, a renewed declaration was made to replace slaveowner Andrew Jackson with abolitionist Harriet Tubman’s image on the $20 bill. This effort has been in the works for over ten years. Many believe that the current administration with their attack on DEI will not see it through. But the efforts continue and that’s critical. Read details in NPR’s recent article: https://www.npr.org/2025/03/10/nx-s1-5321464/harriet-tubman-20-dollar-bill-2025

© Maria Dintino 2022, 2024

Works Cited

City of Newark Communication. “Mayor Baraka announces Harriet Tu bman Monument design winner; Nina Cooke John’s design will replace Christopher Columbus monument.” 17 June 2021.  https://www.newarknj.gov/news/mayor-baraka-announces-harriet-tubman-monument-design-winner-nina-cooke-johns-design-will-replace-christopher-columbus-monument

Harden, Brandon T. “Harriett’s Bookshop in Fishtown: ‘A space of peace for people in a chaotic world.” The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC., 27 Feb, 2020. https://www.inquirer.com/business/small-business/harriets-bookshop-philadelphia-fishtown-jeannine-a-cook-owner-20200227.html

Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway. “NEW ‘BEACON OF HOPE’ HARRIET TUBMAN STATUE FINDS PERMANENT HOME IN HER HOMELAND.” https://harriettubmanbyway.org/new-beacon-of-hope-harriet-tubman-statue-finds-permanent-home-in-her-homeland/

Levy, Jordan. “After outcry over Harriet Tubman statue commission, Philadelphia course and will hold an open call.” BillyPenn, 30 Aug 2022. https://billypenn.com/2022/08/30/philadelphia-harriet-tubman-statue-commission-open-call-artists/

Linskey, Annie. “When will Harriet Tubman adorn the $20 bill?” The Philadelphia Tribune. 3 Jun 2021. https://www.phillytrib.com/news/when-will-harriet-tubman-adorn-the-20-bill/article_0fd66f6f-bab4-5bdc-a3a7-4339eccb538a.html?fbclid=IwAR28hvhkRi1X4IaPQndNlg9rU0jTgtdw85Wh5-ca_6tIrz2c8Jh60qSZeW0

Seward, Aaron. “Nina Cooke John–designed Harriet Tubman monument unveiled in Newark.” The Architect’s Newspaper, 14 Mar 2023. https://www.archpaper.com/2023/03/nina-cooke-john-designed-harriet-tubman-monument-unveiled-in-newark/

Shaheen, Jeanne. “Shaheen Renews Push to Put Harriet Tubman on $20 Bill.” 2 Mar 2023. https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press/shaheen-renews-push-to-put-harriet-tubman-on-20-bill

Sharber, Cory. “Philadelphia Art Commission approves work to begin on Harriet Tubman statue.” NPR, 12 Jan 2024. https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-art-commission-approves-harriet-tubman-statue/

Snyder, Tashanta. “Harriet Tubman monument replacing Christopher Columbus statue in Newark reignites racial tug of war around city’s history.” Ark Republic, 14 Oct 2022. https://www.arkrepublic.com/2022/10/14/racial-tug-over-the-harriet-tubman-monument-replacing-christopher-columbus-statue/

Whittaker, Celeste E. “Harriet Tubman traveling sculpture unveiled at Philadelphia’s City Hall.” Cherry Hill Courier-Post, 12 Jan 2022. https://www.courierpostonline.com/story/life/2022/01/11/harriet-tubman-sculpture-unveiled-philadelphia-cape-may/9170050002/