STATE OF NEW YORK

OFFICE OF GENERAL SERVICES

Daniel D. Hogan, COMMISSIONER

 

Paula Monaco - Public Affairs Office

(518) 474-5987 office or (518) 858-2601 cell

http://www.ogs.state.ny.us

 

FOR RELEASE IMMEDIATE:  March 10, 2006

 

 

NEW YORK STATE TO PAY TRIBUTE TO

HARRIET TUBMAN

 

15 Women will be Honored with the Second Annual Harriet Tubman Spirit Awards

Award Recipients are from:  Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Buffalo & New York City

 

Governor George E. Pataki has proclaimed March 10^th as a day of commemoration in New York State for the life and heroic contributions of Harriet Ross Tubman.  As part of the State's tribute, the second annual New York State Governor’s Harriet Tubman Spirit Awards will be presented to 15 women whose accomplishments depict the spirit of Harriet Tubman.  The awards ceremony will take place at 6:00pm at the New York State Museum and will also include musical and dramatic presentations as well as spiritual enrichment.

 

In 2003, Governor Pataki officially signed into law a bill designating March 10^th as “Harriet Tubman Day,” a day of commemoration in New York State.  March 10^th was chosen because it is the day she died in 1913 at the age of 93.  The date of her birth is unknown.

 

This year’s event will include the second annual presentation of the “Harriet Tubman Spirit Award.”  This award was developed to honor women of New York State who have perpetuated Tubman’s legacy and her humanitarian accomplishments.  Through their tireless efforts they have significantly contributed to the culture and well being of New York and have paved the way for future leaders in the ongoing fight for human rights.  All of these women possess a pioneering spirit of excellence.

 

The 2006 Harriet Spirit Award recipients are:

• Zenaida Chape’, Humanitarian and Community Advocate from New York City
• Sarah Curry-Cobb, Pioneer and Civil Rights Advocate from Albany
• Dr. Joan O. Dawson, Educator and Youth Advocate from New York City
• Patricia A. DeVine, Youth Advocate from Albany
• Maria Ginter, Diversity and Community Advocate from Albany
• Mona Golub, Pioneer and Cultural Arts Advocate from Schenectady
• Alvania Hill, Educator from Albany
• Sharon Jordan Holley, Educator and Historian from Buffalo
• Rev. Carolyn Peterson-Vaccaro, Women and Family Advocate from Albany
• Frances Ethel Powell Pratt, Civil Rights Advocate from Nyack
• Ruth Russell, Health and Community Advocate from Rensselaer
• Dr. Cecilia Sanz, Children and Family Advocate from Albany
• Rose Stuart, Pioneer and Family Advocate from Albany
• Meilin Tan, Humanitarian and Entrepreneur from New York City
• Benita Zahn, Health and Media Advocate from Albany.

 

Harriet Tubman was called the “Moses” of her people.  She was born on a plantation in Maryland, in or around 1820, and escaped from slavery in 1849.  Upon gaining her freedom, Harriet Tubman settled in Philadelphia where she met William Still, the Philadelphia "Stationmaster" of the "Underground Railroad."

 

In 1850, Harriet Tubman became a "conductor" on the Underground Railroad and eventually became the most influential of all the "conductors" by returning to the South 19 times through the Underground Railroad, freeing 300 slaves.

 

In the mid-1850s, Harriet Tubman made the acquaintance of United States Senator, Secretary of State and former New York State Governor William H. Seward and his wife, Frances, in Auburn, New York.  In 1857, the Sewards provided a home for Harriet Tubman in Auburn, which she later purchased and used as new headquarters for the Underground Railroad.

 

Since 1995, the New York State has assisted with efforts to recognize Harriet Tubman's legacy.  In 1999, the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) helped to document and list Tubman's historic brick home, her church and her gravesite in the Fort Hill Cemetery to the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

 

In February 2001, Governor Pataki announced the creation of a $1.4 million Underground Railroad Heritage Trail Grant Program to enhance heritage tourism and support site improvements at historic sites and interpretive centers commemorating the Underground Railroad across New York State.

 

In addition, the Governor committed more than $280,000 in Bond Act funds to restore Harriet Tubman’s home in Auburn.  An additional $100,000 was provided in 2002 to help restore the Harriet Tubman Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, also in Auburn, New York.