HARRIET TUBMAN (1822-1913) This year- 2022- marks the bicentennial of Harriet Tubman’s birth. Her life and legacy as one of America’s greatest freedom fighters continues to inspire everyone. Tubman’s life story is chroni- cled and heralded throughout the world. Even the youngest of school age children knows her name. Few would know that Tubman made the first of her many return rescue trips here in the City of Baltimore. FRANCES ELLEN WATKINS HARPER (1825-1911) was born free in the City of Baltimore on September 24, 1825. Orphaned at an early, Frances was raised by her uncle Rev. William Watkins, Sr. Rev. Watkins was the preacher/teacher at the African Academy School. Frances was hired to a prominent family who permitted her to study and read their books. Frances would become a noted poet, lecturer, teacher and spokesperson for the Abolition of Slavery. Dr. LILLIE MAE CARROLL JACKSON (1899-1975) Lillie and her husband Keiffer Bowen Jackson had four children- Juanita, Virginia, Marion and a son named Bow- en. Lillie became known as “Ma Jackson” a revered civil rights leader in the State of Maryland. She served as Presi- dent of the Baltimore branch of the NAACP from 1935 to 1970. Lillie is the “Godmother” of the civil rights movement. Her home became the Lillie Carroll Jackson Civil Rights Museum in Maryland. In 1986 Dr. Jackson was inducted into the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame. Lillie Carroll Jackson served as mentor and teacher to a young Rosa Parks, Thurgood Marshall, her daughters and to her future son-in-law Clarence Mitchell, Jr. MARY CARTER SMITH (1919-2007) Maryland griot (storyteller) Mary Carter Smith was born in Birmingham, Alabama. She relocated to Maryland and graduated from Coppin State College in 1942. She worked as a teacher and librarian in Baltimore City Public Schools from 1942 to 1973. For 20 years she hosted “Griots for the Young” and the “Young at Heart” on Morgan State University’s WEAA radio station where the studio is named in her honor. In 1998, Mary was inducted into the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame. Mary traveled to Africa, the Caribbean, England, and France promoting peace and justice. Smith was a founding
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