Harriet Tubman: The Beacon of Hope
City of Rahway
In honor of Black History Month, and one of American history’s most influential individuals, the City of Rahway proudly welcomes the Harriet Tubman: The Beacon of Hope traveling monument from February 1 through February 29. The 13-foot bronze statue created by sculptor Wesley Wofford of Wofford Sculpture Studio will be on display at City Hall Plaza, located at 1 City Hall Plaza, Rahway, NJ all month long, with an official community celebration taking place on Saturday, February 3 at 2:00 p.m.
Harriet Tubman, originally known as Araminta Ross, was born into slavery and emerged as a beacon of hope and resilience during a pivotal era in American history. Renowned as a courageous abolitionist, she not only liberated herself, but dedicated her life to freeing countless others through the Underground Railroad.
Harriet Tubman’s unwavering commitment to justice and equality is vividly captured in the monument, which portrays her as a free woman, extending an encouraging hand to the viewer. A closer look reveals a golden “generational key” in her hand, inspiring observers to unlock their inner strength and forge their destinies, mirroring Harriet’s own resilience.
As described by Wofford Sculpture Studio, the oxen yoke is a metaphor for the yoke of slavery. It also illustrates the legendary story of Araminta’s youth which describes her single-handedly steering a team of oxen for her father. The piled shackles and chains depict all of the lives adversely affected by the scourge of slavery. The open shackles represent those freed by Harriet and others on the Underground Railroad, while the locked ones depict those not liberated until after the Civil War. The closed manacles also symbolize the unfinished work ahead of us, essential to achieving a just and equitable future for all.
The City of Rahway will be celebrating Black History Month with a variety of activities and educational experiences throughout the month of February. Visit CityofRahway.com/BHM to learn more.
