hero

Children always thought of heroes as people with supernatural powers that would appear whenever they needed them just like Superman, Spiderman and other heroes. In reality those supernatural heroes do not exist. Actually they are people who are just normal, yet are called heroes not for their powers, but for the achievements they have accomplished through their lives. A hero is someone who makes a change in many lives including his or her own life. Defining the word hero may differ from one culture to another, but they share some essential characteristics. Polster (2001) writes that a hero definition must include these following characteristics “first respect human life, second have a strong sense of personal choice and effectiveness, third their perspective on the world is original, forth they are brave, and fifth they are not measured by publicity.” Harriet Tubman is one of the most heroic women in history. She conducted a journey through the Underground Railroad to seek her freedom and the freedom of another three hundred slaves. Leadership, bravery and selflessness are three qualities of a hero and Harriet Tubman exemplifies all of them. The heroic feature of leadership is one of the most important qualities of a hero. A true hero is able to translate his dream to reality, is able to lead people, and also able to make decisions with great insight in the worst circumstances. According to Cohen (2010), heroic leadership is about doing the right thing regardless of the outcome. It includes guiding people with integrity and building a group spirit of sacrifice for mutual interest. This quality is purely seen in Harriet’s Tubman’s life. The article “Harriet Tubman” (2013), notes that Tubman was called the Moses of her people for leading them to freedom just like prophet Moses did with the Israelites. In other words, through her wise leadership she was able to free three hundred or more slaves through the Underground Railroad during her nineteen journeys from the