Day of Remembrance: Ruby Bridges honored in Orange with ceremonial walk to school (2024)

FAQs

When was the first Ruby Bridges walk to school day? ›

Since the first event was held in 2018, the Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day has grown exponentially. The 2020 walk was the first national event, and in 2021, the California State Senate passed a resolution declaring November 14 as Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day in California.

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.

On January 8, 2001, Bridges was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal by President Bill Clinton. In November 2006, Bridges was honored as a "Hero Against Racism" at the 12th annual Anti-Defamation League "Concert Against Hate" with the National Symphony Orchestra, held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

Bridges attended her old school, Johnson Lockett, until November 14, 1960 when she started at William Frantz. She was escorted to and from school each day by four court marshals assigned by President Eisenhower to ensure her safety.

Six year old Ruby Bridges stepped into the history books November 14, 1960, when she became one of the first students to integrate William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, becoming a national icon for the civil rights movement.

Ruby's first day was unusual because she never met her teacher or classmates, she sat alone in her classroom all day, and when it was 3:00, it was time to go home. Additionally, many parents came with their children to school.

The Children's Museum Remembers Former U.S. Marshal Charles Burks, Who Protected 6-Year-Old Ruby Bridges.

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.

The white parents all withdrew their children from the school, and the staff refused to teach Bridges, except for one teacher: Barbara Henry, who had come from Boston. For the first year, Henry taught Bridges alone, just the two of them in the classroom.

Ruby graduated from a desegregated high school, became a travel agent, married and had four sons.

Did Ruby Bridges pass the test? ›

When Ruby was in kindergarten, her parents allowed her to test to see if she qualified to integrate New Orleans public schools, even though her father was hesitant. Ruby was one of six Black children to pass the test.

Ruby had to be escorted to school by federal mashals for the entire school year. She was the only student in the classroom with teacher Barbara Henry, the only teacher willing to accept her, and she spent most of her lunches and recesses alone. In spite of all this, Ruby showed up every day, ready to learn.

Barbara Henry, a young teacher who had recently moved to New Orleans from Boston, was the only member of staff willing to teach Ruby as part of an integrated class. However, in protest against Ruby's presence, all but three white families removed their children from the school.

Ruby Bridges was 29 or 30 at the time she married Malcolm Hall in 1984. Since their marriage, the couple has had four children together, all boys.

Ruby wants to hear from you!

To connect with the Ruby Bridges Foundation, you can email walktoschoolday@rubybridges.foundation.