Why do we celebrate Ruby Bridges?

At the tender age of six, Ruby Bridges advanced the cause of civil rights in November 1960 when she became the first African American student to integrate an elementary school in the South.

Why is Ruby Bridges important to us?

She was the first African American child to desegregate William Frantz Elementary School. At six years old, Ruby's bravery helped pave the way for Civil Rights action in the American South. Ruby was born on September 8, 1954 to Abon and Lucille Bridges in Tylertown, Mississippi.

Why do we celebrate Ruby Bridges Day?

Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day gives children the chance to celebrate Ruby's courage by walking to school and is the perfect opportunity to teach children about the civil rights movement and make connections to today's collective efforts for change.

Why do we celebrate Ruby?

On November 14, 1960, Ruby Bridges, a 6-year-old first grader, and her mother required the guard of U.S. marshals when white protesters hurled racial slurs as they walked to school. Ruby's simple but courageous act of showing up for school each day played an important part in the civil rights movement.

What happened during Ruby Bridges?

Ruby Nell Bridges Hall (born September 8, 1954) is an American civil rights activist. She was the first African American child to attend formerly whites-only William Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana during the New Orleans school desegregation crisis on November 14, 1960.

Celebrating Ruby Bridges

How was Ruby Bridges treated?

Ruby faced blatant racism every day while entering the school. Many parents kept their children at home. People outside the school threw objects, police set up barricades. She was threatened and even “greeted" by a woman displaying a black doll in a wooden coffin.

What happened to Ruby Bridges when she was 4?

When she was four years old, her family moved to New Orleans. Two years later a test was given to the city's African American schoolchildren to determine which students could enter all-white schools. Bridges passed the test and was selected for enrollment at the city's William Frantz Elementary School.

Who was the first black girl in school?

Ruby Bridges - First Black Child to Integrate an All-White Elementary School in the South. On November 14, 1960, at the age of six, Ruby Bridges changed history and became the first African American child to integrate an all-white elementary school in the South.

What is Ruby Bridges famous quote?

Ruby Bridges Quotes

One famous quote by Ruby Bridges was from a speech given at the dedication of her new Ruby Bridges Foundation ceremony. She said, "Racism is a grownup disease. Let's stop using kids to spread it."

What did Ruby Bridges do on her first day?

The first day of school was strange for Ruby. All she did was sit in the principal's office with her mom. She saw the parents of white kids come in throughout the day. They were taking their kids out of the school.

What are fun facts about Ruby Bridges?

What happened in 1954 Ruby Bridges?

The year Ruby was born (1954), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that racially segregated public schools were unconstitutional. That case is called Brown v. Board of Education. Six years later, elementary schools in the South were still segregated.

Why was Ruby Bridges important for kids?

All 6-year-old Ruby Bridges wanted was a friend when she walked into William Frantz Elementary in 1960 as the first Black child to desegregate the New Orleans school, flanked by four federal marshals and besieged by racist taunts from a crowd of white people.

Where is Ruby Bridges today?

Ruby still lives in New Orleans. She runs the Ruby Bridges Foundation to help troubled children at William Frantz and other schools. With the group, Ruby travels the country advocating the importance of education and integration to students.

Who inspired Ruby Bridges?

Bridges was inspired following the murder of her youngest brother, Malcolm Bridges, in a drug-related killing in 1993 — which brought her back to her former elementary school. For a time, Bridges looked after Malcolm's four children, who attended William Frantz School.

Did Ruby Bridges get married?

Ruby graduated from a desegregated high school, became a travel agent, married and had four sons. She was reunited with her first teacher, Henry, in the mid 1990s, and for a time the pair did speaking engagements together.

Who is Ruby Bridges for kids?

In 1960, Ruby Bridges (September 8, 1954—present) walked through the doors of William Frantz Elementary School, in New Orleans, Louisiana. By doing so, she became the first African-American student to attend an all-white elementary school in the Southern United States.

What did Ruby Bridges do in 1960?

On November 14, 1960, a court order mandating the desegregation of schools comes into effect in New Orleans, Louisiana.

What is Ruby Bridges favorite color?

The museum provides virtual museum tours and programs. Learn more about Ruby Bridges and her work by visiting the Ruby Bridges Foundation. Wear purple! It's Ruby's favorite color.

Did Ruby Bridges go to college?

No, Ruby Bridges did not attend college. However, she has earned to honorary degrees for her work as a civil rights activist. Bridges' honorary degrees were awarded from Connecticut College and Tulane University.

Who is Ruby Bridges mom?

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Lucille Bridges, the mother of civil rights activist Ruby Bridges, who walked with her then-6-year-old daughter past crowds screaming racist slurs as she became the first Black student at her all-white New Orleans elementary school, has died at the age of 86.

What did Ruby Bridges face?

In 1960, she was chosen to attend the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Louisiana, thrusting her into the center of a heated struggle for racial equality. Ruby's journey to school was fraught with adversity, as she braved a gauntlet of angry protesters who spewed hateful insults and threats.

What did Ruby Bridges do as an adult?

Ruby went on to graduate from a desegregated highschool, became a travel agent, married, and had four sons. Today, Ruby continues to be a civil rights activist. She established The Ruby Bridges Foundation to help promote tolerance and create change through education.

Who was the little black girl named Ruby?

Ruby was the first Black child to desegregate her school. This is what she learned. U.S. deputy marshals escort six-year-old Ruby Bridges from William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans in November 1960. The morning of November 14, 1960, a little girl named Ruby Bridges got dressed and left for school.