TAT is accepting nominations through Aug. 15 for its most prestigious award, the Harriet Tubman Award (HTA) presented by WEX^®.  The award, which includes a $5,000 check and a trophy, is given to honor a member of the trucking, bus or energy industry whose direct actions have either helped save or improve the lives of those exploited or prevented human trafficking from taking place. The incident must have taken place in the U.S. or Canada, and nominees need to reside in one of those countries.

If you know someone who deserves to win, check out the nomination process for the award now. 

TAT created the award in 2013 and named it to honor famed abolitionist Harriet Tubman, whose courageous personal actions resulted in the transportation of 70 slaves to freedom through the Underground Railroad and whose overall role in the freedom movement was instrumental in the freeing of thousands more. Born into slavery in 1820, Miss Tubman was the first African American woman buried with full military honors and the first to have the inaugural Liberty ship named after her – the SS Harriet Tubman – by the U.S. Maritime Commission.

The Harriet Tubman Award was presented for the first time the following year to a travel plaza general manager in Washington. You can read the stories of all the past winners here.

“Please, Drivers, share your story if you’ve taken any action to help someone you think might be a trafficking victim or a potential trafficking victim,” said Laura Cyrus, TAT senior director of Industry Training and Outreach, “even if you’re not sure what you did is ‘award worthy.’ The stories of our Harriet Tubman Award winners are important. These stories serve to encourage others in the industry to stay vigilant around this effort.”

If you or someone you know deserves to be considered for the Harriet Tubman Award, please complete the nomination form today!