One of the most uplifting and inspiring of these motivational tales is that of Harriet Tubman. Harriet Tubman, who was born into slavery in Maryland, was beaten severely by her masters throughout her servitude. While in Philadelphia in 1849, Tubman was able to return to Maryland and save her family. Working covertly at night, Tubman smuggled her rescued relatives out of the state. As time went on, she rescued other slaves and brought them with her; in total, she made 13 rescue trips and freed almost 70 people.