Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day

  • Six year old Ruby Bridges stepped into the history books November 14, 1960, when she became one of the first èßäÊÓƵ to integrate William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, becoming a national icon for the civil rights movement. Today her story continues to inspire the next generation of leaders to end racism together one step at a time. Since 2018, èßäÊÓƵ have celebrated Ruby’s courage by walking to èßäÊÓƵ and recognizing her contributions to the civil rights movement.Animated image of Ruby Bridges walking to èßäÊÓƵ over text 'Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day November 14'

    Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day (RBWTSD) is the perfect opportunity to teach children about the civil rights movement and make connections to today's collective efforts for change. RBWTSD gives children the opportunity to celebrate Ruby's courage by walking to èßäÊÓƵ. Incentives like Ruby Bridges stickers and bookmarks will be available for throughout October.

    Posters and RBWTSD bingo cards available at .

     

    èßäÊÓƵ Ruby

    In 1954 the US Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Brown v. the Board of Education ended racial segregation in public èßäÊÓƵs. However, southern states continued to resist. Ruby spent kindergarten in a segregated classroom. In 1960 a federal court ordered Louisiana èßäÊÓƵs to desegregate. The èßäÊÓƵ district created an entrance exam to see if African American èßäÊÓƵ could handle being in an all-white èßäÊÓƵ. Ruby and five other èßäÊÓƵ passed the exam. The six èßäÊÓƵ were to be sent to two different all-white èßäÊÓƵs. The èßäÊÓƵ district delayed their start and Ruby's first day of èßäÊÓƵ was November 14, 1960. A few days before the start of èßäÊÓƵ, the two African American èßäÊÓƵ who were going to attend with Ruby decided to èßäÊÓƵ in their home èßäÊÓƵ. Ruby braved William Frantz Elementary School on her own.

     

    Teaching Resources

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