VESTAL, N.Y. — The Binghamton women's basketball team stepped away from its summer workout schedule last Wednesday to tour the Downtown Binghamton Freedom Trail.
 
Launched in 2024, the Downtown Binghamton Freedom Trail is a 14-stop, self-guided walking tour spanning approximately 2.5 miles. The trail recognizes local people, landmarks and institutions that contributed to the abolitionist movement and the advancement of civil rights in the Binghamton community.
 
The team's visit was led by Anne Bailey and began at the Harriet Tubman Statue, located near Binghamton University's Harriet Tubman Center for Freedom and Equality. Dedicated in 2025, the statue honors Tubman's lasting legacy as an abolitionist, humanitarian and advocate for freedom.
 
"We are grateful to Anne Bailey for giving our team a tour of the Downtown Binghamton Freedom Trail," head coach Mary Grimes said. "Learning about Binghamton beyond the court was both insightful and impactful for our women as we continue to blaze trails in our own lives and community."
 
The Freedom Trail also highlights the contributions of Elias Hawley, who helped freedom seekers reach safe houses in the city, and Stephen Hand, an Underground Railroad conductor and co-founder of the Broome County Anti-Slavery Society. Stops along the route include churches that played important roles in the fight for civil rights, as well as Brigham Hall, a gathering place for abolitionists and prominent figures including Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony.
 
For senior Yanniah Boyd, the experience offered a new perspective on the community Binghamton calls home.
 
"I was amazed that there is so much history just a few miles down Vestal Parkway in Downtown Binghamton," Boyd said. "Being able to learn more and gain perspective on what happened here years ago was insightful. I appreciate the time we spent on the tour, and a lot of those messages will stay with me."
 
For more information on the Downtown Binghamton Freedom Trail, click here. To learn more about Binghamton University's Harriet Tubman Center for Freedom and Equality, click here.