Harriet Tubman is 'totally due' U.S. currency honour, Windsor actress says

Leslie McCurdy likely knows the face of Harriet Tubman better than almost anyone.

That's because the Windsor, Ont., actress has portrayed the legendary African-American abolitionist on stage for nearly two decades.

And McCurdy welcomes the recent news that Tubman's face will be featured on the next version of the U.S. $20 bill, as she is hoping it will spur more people to learn about her life.

• Harriet Tubman, American who helped free slaves, to be on U.S. $20 bill

"I was like, yay!"McCurdy said, when telling CBC Radio's Afternoon Drive about her reaction to the news about Tubman.

"That was my first response, just yay, because it's a great honour and I think she's totally due that and because it's going to be a heck of a marketing tool for my 20th year of touring."

McCurdy said the process of telling Tubman's story for so many years has been one of continual discovery, as more details of the famed Underground Railroad conductor's life become known.

"I learn new details and new information about her work all the time as more and more of it is unveiled,"said McCurdy.

Tubman was born a slave, but later escaped captivity and later helped others do the same, through the Underground Railroad.

And she spent some years living in St. Catharines, Ont., while helping others find freedom.

For McCurdy, the fascination with Tubman's story began early in life.

"She's been my hero since I was in Grade 5,"she said.

McCurdy found and still finds Tubman's personal faith, her courage and her selflessness all reasons to admire her.

"Her brand of selflessness wanting to give to others and look after the well-being of others outside of just one's self is something this world could use a whole lot more of, I think,"said McCurdy.