The Seneca word ‘ohi-yo’ means “beautiful river.” Cincinnati sits on the north bank of the Ohio River and became the borderland between north and south, free and unfree. The Underground Railroad flowed to, through, and around this city and state, supporting many enslaved people crossing the Ohio River to be free.

I learned this at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati. Before my visit, I understood little about Cincinnati’s unique role in our nation’s history. I came to the Center to learn more about how people had advocated for and fought for freedom and justice.

I was guided to begin with the permanent exhibit called “In This Place.” While I waited for the introductory video to start, I explored the exhibit. I liked all the questions they posted on the wall: What does freedom mean to you? What would you risk for your freedom? What would you do to help others become free? What does justice mean to you? What do you look for support within your community? What does a free future look like to you?

An excellent educational institution does more than sharing stories and facts—it encourages people to reflect inward, helping us uncover new aspects of ourselves and inspiring us to take meaningful action after we leave. From the very beginning, learning historical facts and figures at the Center sparked a journey of self-discovery for me.

Originally, I planned to spend a coupe of hours to explore the museum and ride to Ripley, Ohio for the afternoon. I stayed there all day from 10am to 5pm, soaking up the history I never learned and being inspired by so many people who demanded the civil rights for all people. I learned that the Underground Railroad was the nation’s first widespread and interracial activist movement. People organized through their community networks, advocated in courts, and promoted their cause through lectures and print media. The Underground Railroad ended with the U.S. Civil War (1861-1865) and the abolition of slavery. But the fight for freedom, equity, and civil rights continued. For generations to come, these Underground Railroad methods inspired activists. For exmaple, The Congress on Racial Equality (CORE) formed during the Civil Rights Movement. This group was active in Cincinnati and other U.S. cities. CORE and others used nonviolent action to protest racial discrimation.

Few people caught my attention among many abolitionists and activists. One was Harriet Beecher Stowe, a white woman who published “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” What stood out to me was that her writing humanized slavery by telling the story of individuals and families. Her house in Cincinnati became a museum, and they offer a tour. I visited the house the next day and learned more about her life.

Her family moved to Cincinnati in 1832, when her dad became the head of Lane Theological Seminary. Harriet met many abolitionists. While visiting Rev. John Rankin and his family in Ripley, Ohio, she heard stories about runaways. Rankin told Harriet about a woman named Eliza who had fled across the partially frozen Ohio River with her two-year-old child, leaping over ice floes to escape slave hunters. These stories and Harriet’s own experiences, such as witnessing a slave auction taking place at the nearby courthouse lawn when visiting one of her students’ family’s home in Kentucky, later influenced her while writing Uncle Tom’s Cabin. She used Eliza’s escape across the ice as a core storyline in her book.

Harriet began writing Uncle Tom’s Cabin while the country was in an uproar over the Fugitive Slave Law. The story put a human face on the issue of slavery, especially as it showed the heartbreak of separating families. She showed the physical, sexual, and emotional abuse endured by enslaved people. According to legend, when President Lincoln met Harriet in 1862, he said, “So you’re the little woman who wrote the book that started this Great War!” Many people knew slavery was wrong. Her writing resonated with many readers around the world, igniting a pivotal moment in our nation’s history that moved people into action.

I used to teach my students four strategic actions that change the world: political, consumer, persuasive, and collective actions. The Underground Railroad was a powerful collective action. Harriet’s writings educated people and supported persuading public perception on slavery along with many other abolitionists.

Another persuasive figure who caught my attention at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center was Matt Herron, a photojournalist who captured people during the historic Selma to Montgomery March for Voting Rights, a pivotal moment that directly led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The special exhibit, Witness to the Journey, presents his black-and-white photographs. A few photos caught my eye: Doris Wilson’s shoes and people who were taking care of her and others’ feet. They didn’t have $150 a pair Altra shoes and custom insoles that I have for thru-hiking. They walked to demand the voting rights with whatever shoes they had. These photos spoke to me and made me realize my privilege again: the reason why I can hike on national scenic trails for leisure today is that they walked and created a path of freedom for all of us. I know how painful blisters are and how much our feet swell up at the end of a long day of hiking, even with good hiking shoes and insoles. They didn’t have any, and I imagine they were in pain. Still, they walked with determination and hope for the future.

I live in the future they dreamt of: no more slavery, no more discrimination based on skin color when voting. I thought it was better today, but after seeing the Invisible: Slavery Today exhibit, I doubted it.

The exhibit stated that slavery exists around the world today. Men and women, teenagers and children from all backgrounds are forced to work against their will under threat of violence, and without means of escape. Although slavery is everywhere, it is largely invisible. The exhibit clearly communicated that the demand for inexpensive goods and services has created a market for low-cost labor in today’s economy. It means we are all likely benefiting from modern-day slavery compared to the past, when slavery was visible, and slave owners and those who were involved in slavery were the ones who benefited from it. It made me think about the way I consume goods and services. Am I buying goods that are produced without causing harm? Am I paying the fair value of someone’s labour?

Researching and selecting ethical items and services can feel overwhelming. One resource that has made this process easier is the Better World Shopper’s Guide, which I have relied on both personally and professionally since its first publication. As an environmental educator, I introduced this guide to my students to empower them as conscious consumers. Visiting the exhibit reaffirmed my commitment to educate myself and support ethical companies, doing my best to avoid contributing to modern-day slavery.

There was so much to see and learn at the Center. What I took away was that our struggle continues, and we all have a unique talent and skill set, and each one of us can use our gifts to participate in the social movement for equality and justice. Every small action counts. The Freedom Center encourages us to act, and I liked the section where they had people choose what type of action they may be able to take: Take a Stand, Use the System, Imagine, Organize, and Influence. The visitors can write their commitment on a piece of paper and hang it on the wall. I chose “Influence” and wrote one idea that came to me at the museum: organize a group ride on the Underground Railroad Bike Route to educate others about the important history. I hung mine on the wall and made my way back to the first floor, where I began exploring the Center. On my way down, I saw a beautiful mural quilt, which gave me a sense of awe. Our world is beautiful.

Back in the first room, I saw a quote on the wall by John Lewis:

I went outside and took a deep breath after spending all day in the Center. I could see the Ohio River. This beautiful river once separated liberty and servitude. It witnessed our struggles, many lives, and now my presence. The water no longer borders freedom and slavery; however, it is there, waiting to flow through the day we are all free. For that, I will do what I can to be a part of ‘ohi-yo,’ the beautiful river, of our movement.