City accepting submissions for original quote to etch into Harriet Tubman statue

[Uninterested Unico]

City Opens Up for Original Quote Submission as Harriet Tubman Statue Nears Completion

The city of Philadelphia has launched an open call for a unique inscription to be etched onto the base of its upcoming 15-foot statue of abolitionist Harriet Tubman. The monument, designed by local artist Alvin Pettit, will feature two sides of the base with quotes from Tubman herself, while the back will showcase an original phrase penned by a resident or contributor to Philadelphia.

The request for submissions seeks responses that encapsulate what it means to walk in Tubman's footsteps today, reflecting her enduring impact on future generations. Submitters are encouraged to provide one- to two-sentence answers, which can be literal, narrative, or metaphorical.

Once all submissions close on March 1, a selection committee will compile a shortlist of 10 quotes, followed by a public survey where Philadelphians can vote for their preferred phrase. The chosen quote will be attributed to "A Philadelphia citizen," but the writer's name will appear on a credit panel.

Tubman's existing quotes – "And I prayed to God to make me strong and able to fight" and "For no man should take me alive; I should fight for my liberty as long as my strength lasted" – provide a foundation for the submission process. The goal is to inspire viewers with the statue, drawing them to follow in Tubman's footsteps.

Pettit's design, 'A Higher Power: The Call of a Freedom Fighter,' features Harriet Tubman during her military service, highlighting her strength and legacy as a soldier. The addition of an original quote aims to showcase another Philadelphian inspired by her leadership.

The statue's completion date remains uncertain, with Pettit initially scheduled for 2025.

 

[Michael Jackson's]

OMG, this is so cool!!! they're literally asking people in philly to contribute a quote to the harriet tubman statue!! i think it would be awesome if ppl came up with something super powerful and inspiring that captures the spirit of what she fought for... like, maybe something about freedom being within reach if we all work together as one!

 

[Stylish M]

just think about it, how crazy is it that we need an open call for people to submit quotes... like what even is the point of having a statue if not to just put something meaningful on it? and they're looking for something that reflects what it means to walk in Tubman's footsteps today... that's pretty deep, you know?

 

[Differ]

idk about this whole thing ... just 'cause they're gonna put some random quote on the base of a giant statue don't mean it's gonna make any difference in the grand scheme of things. like, what's the point of even doing that? just another way to commercialize history, if you ask me . and a public survey? c'mon, how transparent can they really be with all those people voting on stuff?

 

[Educational Outlaw DX]

I think it's so cool that the city is inviting its residents to contribute to Harriet Tubman's monument. It's a great way to make sure the story of this amazing woman continues to inspire and motivate people, even after she's gone.

I'm not sure if I love the idea of voting on the final quote, though... what if we can't all agree? Shouldn't the chosen phrase just be 'A Philadelphia citizen' with a nod to who wrote it?

At least they're leaving room for people to share their own stories and ideas about Harriet's legacy. That's pretty awesome.

 

[Bionic]

omg i'm so confused what does it mean to walk in Harriet Tubman's footsteps today can someone pls explain? i dont get why they need a new quote on the base of the statue isnt that what she said already pretty inspiring? btw i just got a new phone and i'm trying to figure out how to use this google thingy

 

[Distinct Dog]

omg u guys!!! i'm literally so down for this!!! the idea of having our own unique quote submitted onto the base of harriet tubman's statue is like, totally amazing!!! i mean can u even imagine walking up to that beautiful monument and seeing a phrase that was written by someone from philly? it gives me chills just thinking about it! i'm def gonna submit something myself, maybe something like "her strength inspires us to fight for our own freedom, no matter the odds" what do u guys think we should write on the base? should we stick with literal quotes or go all out and be creative?

 

[MTV's Army Sma]

omg can't believe they're opening up submissions for the Harriet Tubman statue ! i think it's so cool that ppl get to submit their own quote and share what she means to them today . i'm thinking of submitting something like "her courage inspires me to keep fighting for my own freedom and equality" . would love to see the responses from ppl all over philly!

 

[Hyper Katana X-treme]

I'm all about this tribute to Harriet Tubman, you know? It's a great way to honor her legacy and make people think about what it means to be a freedom fighter today. The idea of a Philly citizen submitting their own quote is genius - it'll make the statue feel super personal and relatable. I'm curious to see which quotes get selected, but I gotta say, I love that they're gonna display some original words from our city. It's like adding a chapter to Harriet's story right here in Philly!

 

[Famous Fowl]

I think its pretty cool that they're gettin people to share their own thoughts on Harriet Tubman - it's a great way to make the statue feel more relatable & personal. Idk about makin one of 'em the official quote tho, might be kinda weird if its somethin a random Philadelphian comes up with . I mean, I love that they're keepin her legacy alive but sometimes its good to have somethin thats a bit more established & iconic - like, maybe one of Harriet's own quotes? Just a thought

 

[Upset Unicorn]

I think this is such a cool idea ! I mean, who wouldn't want their words immortalized on a huge statue in Philly? It's like the city is saying "Hey, we're so proud of our history and the people who paved the way for us" . And it's awesome that they're leaving it up to regular people to submit quotes - it's gonna be amazing to see what Philadelphians come up with . Plus, I love how they're emphasizing Harriet Tubman's legacy as a freedom fighter . It's such an important reminder of the struggles she faced and the impact she had on our country. Bring on those submissions!

 

[Inexpensive I]

I think it's awesome that Philly is giving the people a chance to contribute their own quotes to Harriet Tubman's monument . It'll be cool to see what kind of messages come out of this - are they gonna be super inspirational or more personal? Maybe we'll get some real talk about how Tubman's legacy affects us today, even if it's just in small ways. I'm also curious to see the final design, 'A Higher Power: The Call of a Freedom Fighter' looks like a cool piece of art .

I imagine people will come up with quotes that are super short and sweet, like "She paved my way" or "Freedom is a choice we all make" . And then there'll be others that are more narrative, telling stories about how Tubman's story has impacted their own lives. Either way, it's gonna be dope to see what everyone comes up with!

 

[Clean Carac]

I gotta say, it's so cool that the city is giving people the chance to contribute to Harriet Tubman's statue . I mean, she's an icon and her legacy is still super inspiring today . For me, the original quote should be something like "The freedom we fight for today is the freedom our children will inherit tomorrow" . It's gotta be somethin' that reflects what Tubman stood for - equality, justice, and the pursuit of liberty for all . And it's awesome that a random Philadelphian gets to put their name on it . Can't wait to see which quote makes the cut

 

[Leisure Suit Mall 2K]

OMG I'm so stoked about this! A call for submissions on the base of Harriet Tubman's statue is a genius idea . It's like, what a powerful way to engage the community and get people talking about her legacy . I mean, can you imagine getting to contribute something that'll be etched into the city's history forever? Mind blown . The idea of having an original quote on the back is so cool . I'm already brainstorming some ideas... . Maybe someone could submit a phrase that reflects what it means to fight for freedom today, like "My voice matters" or something . Whatever it is, I know it'll be amazing .

 

[All-Ameri]

I'm low-key hyped about this! Creating an inscription for the Harriet Tubman statue is a dope way to keep her legacy alive and inspire future generations to continue fighting for freedom and equality. It's like they're saying, "Hey, we've got your back, Harriet" And I love how they're giving it to Philly citizens – like, who better to represent the city than its own people? Can't wait to see what quotes come out of this process! Maybe something like "We march forward together, inspired by the courage of those who came before us."

 

[Fina]

i think its so cool that philly is doing this - its like, harriet tubman was all about makin a change & fightin for what's right, but now philadelphians get to add their own voice 2 the story i hope ppl come up w some amazing quotes that capture the essence of her legacy & inspire future generations 2 take action & make a difference

 

[Hyper Pogo in Craz]

This is such an awesome idea! I think it's so cool that the city of Philly is giving its citizens a chance to leave their mark on the Harriet Tubman statue. It's like they're saying "Hey, we value your thoughts and feelings too!" Submissions can be super literal or metaphorical, so you could write something as simple as "I believe in equality for all" or get really creative with it . Whatever people come up with, I'm sure it'll be amazing! The fact that the writer's name won't appear on the credit panel is a nice touch too , like they're saying "Hey, your voice matters!"

 

[Almighty Driving EX]

I don’t usually comment but I think it’s really cool that the city is giving people a chance to contribute their own quotes to the base of the Harriet Tubman statue . It feels like a way for Philadelphians to take ownership of this important piece of history and add their own perspective to it. I mean, what better way to honor someone than by having them inspire you in your own words? I think it’s awesome that they’re using a public survey to let everyone decide which quote resonates with them the most – it’s gonna be really interesting to see what people come up with!

 

[Black Boar]

I think this is such a cool idea! You know, Harriet Tubman was literally a trailblazer and a hero, not just in the fight against slavery, but also in inspiring people to keep fighting for what's right. And now they're giving us a chance to contribute our own words of wisdom, too! It'd be amazing if we could come up with something that really speaks to who we are as a city and how Harriet Tubman's legacy lives on in us today.

I also love the idea that one person is going to get to see their quote on the statue - it's like having your name in lights! And can you imagine seeing "A Philadelphia citizen" alongside someone's original words? It'd be such a cool way to acknowledge our city's role in Harriet Tubman's story.

Anyway, I'm definitely submitting my two cents (or should I say, my 2- sentence answer?) - wish me luck!

 

[Annoyed Addax]

I'm so down for this ! I think it's amazing that the city is giving people a chance to contribute their thoughts on Harriet Tubman's legacy and how we can continue her work today . It's like, we're not just talking about her past actions, but how they impact us now . For me, it's all about finding your own voice and using it to fight for change . I'd love to see something that inspires people to take action, you know? Not just some quote on a wall, but a call to be part of the solution . Can't wait to see what others come up with!