As the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary in 2026, the Inaugural Harriet Tubman Summit is gathering 250 women veterans at the Dorchester County Courthouse on September 26 to pay tribute to Tubman’s unprecedented military legacy.
Women from across the country will stand in Tubman’s birthplace to commemorate her 2024 posthumous promotion to brigadier general. That historic commission honored her actions in the June 1863 Combahee River Raid in South Carolina, where she became the first woman to lead an armed military operation during a U.S. war.
“Tubman’s service went unrecognized in her lifetime, and this event is an opportunity to change that,” said Adrian Holmes, president of Alpha Genesis Community Development Corp., which is organizing the month-long Semiquincentennial celebration in her honor.
“As a veteran, I feel a deep bond with Harriet Tubman’s military service,” Holmes said. “While Governor Moore’s 2024 posthumous commission was a historic step forward, her groundbreaking armed service remains largely unknown. As our country celebrates its 250th anniversary, we have the perfect opportunity to honor a true pioneer who served and led armed operations long before women were officially recognized in the military. Today, ensuring her legacy is fully honored isn’t just history – it is the least we can do to finally say ‘thank you’.”
All women veterans nationwide are invited to participate in the “Tribute to General Tubman.” Among the confirmed attendees is a delegation representing the Motown Women Veterans Association (MWVA), a Michigan-based non-profit organization dedicated to supporting, empowering and advocating for female military veterans.
“What an honor this will be for our women veterans here in Michigan as we are already proud to be a part of this historical event,” said MWVA Founder Alexis Derriso. “MWVA aims to increase awareness and dialogue about women veterans and open viewers’ eyes to the contributions, needs and experiences of women who have served in the military.”
To secure their spots and join the historic gathering, veterans are asked to complete the General Harriet Tubman Tribute Registration online (bit.ly/4tLbWaM). The registration fee is $50, which includes a women’s breakfast the morning of the event, a swag bag, a commemorative badge and more. Pulitzer Prize winning author, Dr. Edda Black-Fields is the keynote speaker for the Tribute to General Tubman ceremony. Her book “Combee” documents Harriet Tubman’s leadership and impact during the Combahee River raid.
The public tribute at the Dorchester County Courthouse is the anchor event of a broader, month-long celebration. The Harriet Tubman summit, titled “Inspiring Resilience in the Cradle of Resistance,” will convene international and local leaders, historians, descendants and community members throughout the month of September to honor one of America’s most courageous figures. As a vital component of the nation’s 250th-anniversary celebrations, this summit highlights Tubman’s pivotal role as a fearless abolitionist, spy and suffragist, celebrating her enduring impact on American history.
Veterans and their families also are invited to the Beacon of Hope Veterans Gala, a black-tie evening of reflection and reconnection. More than a traditional dinner, the event, also on September 26, offers an immersive, farm-to-table storytelling experience. Guests will enjoy locally sourced courses while learning about the history and cultural significance of the featured dishes. This unique menu is made possible through a collaboration with Alpha Genesis, the City of Cambridge and the Mayor’s office, who are partnering to build 12 planting beds to cultivate the crops harvested for the event. The planting beds will be donated to the Mace’s Lane Middle School Community Garden. The keynote speaker for the veteran’s gala is Secretary of Housing and Community Development, Jake Day, a US Army Veteran. Tickets sales will begin July 18th and can be purchased online (zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-inaugural-harriet-tubmansummit).
Throughout September, attendees will have opportunities to engage in community service in honor of Tubman’s life of service, as well as attend and participate in interactive exhibits, expert panels, workshops, musical performances, prayer vigils, and a ribbon cutting at the North Star Village, a business incubator welcoming five new women owned businesses. The Summit’s closing activity will be “Sailing the Choptank through Ebony Eyes,” an event featuring all day tours on the tall ship Pride of Baltimore II.
Tubman, born in Dorchester County in 1822, is the most iconic figure associated with the Underground Railroad. Her childhood experiences as little Minty are foundational to the woman who became known by the nickname “Moses” for her bravery leading dozens of enslaved people to freedom via the Underground Railroad. Dorchester County marks the starting point of Page 2 of 4 the Underground Railroad Byway, a scenic route that showcases significant sites related to the history of the Underground Railroad and the quest for freedom for enslaved individuals.
Alpha Genesis Community Development Corporation is a nonprofit based in Cambridge, dedicated to strengthening underserved communities through arts, culture and economic development. Founded to honor Rev. John Green Jr.’s legacy, it fosters community unity, supports Black-owned businesses and promotes youth development.
Event Details
• Inaugural Harriet Tubman Summit: alphagenesiscdc.org/harriet-tubman-summit-1
• When: September 2026
• Where: Dorchester County, Cambridge, Maryland
• Register Online for the Women Veterans Tribute: bit.ly/4tLbWaM
• Tickets for the Gala Dinner: zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-inaugural-harriet-tubmansummit
• Media Contact: Adrian Holmes, President, Alpha Genesis Community Development Corp., info@AlphaGenesisCDC.org
• Alpha Genesis Website: alphagenesiscdc.org/
