NEW ORLEANS — 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.
On her Instagram account Tuesday evening, Ruby Bridges said, “Today our country lost a hero. Brave, progressive, a champion for change. She helped alter the course of so many lives by setting me out on my path as a six year old little girl. Our nation lost a Mother of the Civil Rights Movement today. And I lost my mom. I love you and am grateful for you. May you Rest In Peace.”
Bridges gave birth to Ruby in Tylertown, Mississippi, in 1954 — the same year as the landmark Brown vs. the Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, decision that ended racial segregation in schools.
Her daughter went on to become an icon of the Civil Rights Movement, memorialized in Norman Rockwell’s famous painting “The Problem We All Live With” which depicts a tiny Ruby in a white dress carrying her notebooks and a ruler surrounded by much taller U.S. Marshals. But Ruby Bridges once credited her parents as the forces behind her history-making achievement.
“My parents are the real heroes,” the U.S. Marshals Service once quoted her as saying during a ceremony at an art gallery showing the painting. “They (sent me to that public school) because they felt it was the right thing to do.”
The image of Ruby from the Norman Rockwell painting has gotten renewed attention in recent days in an adapted version that shows Vice President-elect Kamala Harris walking alongside Ruby. Harris is the first Black woman elected to the vice presidency.
Mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell, recognized Lucille Bridges’ contributions in a statement Tuesday night.
“Today we mourn the loss of one of the mothers of the Civil Rights Movement in New Orleans with the passing of Lucille Bridges — mother of five, including Ruby Bridges,” Cantrell said. “May she rest in God’s perfect peace.”
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Cantrell said Ruby’s father, Abon Bridges, was initially reluctant to send his daughter to the all-white William Frantz Elementary School as a first-grader in 1960, at the request of the NAACP. But his wife insisted. According to the National Women’s History Museum, Lucille Bridges wanted her daughter to have the education she never had. She walked her daughter to school every day, the museum said.
“Lucille’s strength was unbounded during this period,” Cantrell said, adding: “Lucille insisted, seeing the action as an opportunity to help all Black children, and walked Ruby, with federal marshals, past chanting and taunting white protesters and to the schoolhouse. Mother and daughter both revealed their character and courage.”
The Associated Press
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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.
Is Lucille Bridges still alive? ›
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.
Did Ruby Bridges go to school alone? ›
Bridges says she sees her 6-year-old self enduring a lonely and confusing year in the children's letters. After walking past mobs of protesters, Bridges attended classes alone — and did so for the full year. Some white families permanently withdrew their children from the school because Bridges was a student there.
What did Ruby Bridges' dad do? ›
Her father lost his job at the gas station, the grocery store where they shopped banned them from returning, and the farm owners sent Ruby's grandparents from the farm they had sharecropped for over 25 years.
Did Ruby Bridges have any sibling? ›
Early life. Bridges was the eldest of five children born to Abon and Lucille Bridges. As a child, she spent much time taking care of her younger siblings, though she also enjoyed playing jump rope and softball and climbing trees.
Did Ruby Bridges get married? ›
Ruby graduated from a desegregated high school, became a travel agent, married and had four sons.
What is Ruby Bridges' famous quote? ›
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 are some fun facts about Ruby Bridges family? ›
Ruby's parents and grandparents were sharecroppers in Mississippi before her family moved to New Orleans in search of better opportunity. In New Orleans, Ruby shared a bedroom with her younger sister and two younger brothers. Ruby enjoyed playing jump rope, softball and climbing trees when she was a child.
Who is Ruby Bridges 4th son? ›
Answer and Explanation: Following her marriage to Malcolm Hall, Ruby Bridges had four sons. Her sons are named Sean Hall, Christopher Hall, and Craig Hall, as well as a fourth, publicly unnamed son. Bridges son Craig Hall was killed in a street shooting in New Orleans in 2005.
Ruby Nell Bridges Hall is an American Hero. 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.
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 pass the test? ›
The Board of Education which ordered all schools to desegregate. Ruby was one of six students to pass the test and her parents decided to send her to an all-white elementary school to receive a better education.
Did Ruby Bridges finish college? ›
Answer and Explanation: 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.
Did Ruby Bridges miss a day of school? ›
By the end of Ruby's first week, she was the only child in class. Neither Mrs. Henry nor Ruby missed a day of school that year – they knew it was important to keep going. The Ruby Bridges Foundation was inspired by Ruby's desire to help all children achieve their hopes and dreams.
How many children did Ruby Bridges parents have? ›
Born on September 8, 1954, Bridges was the oldest of five children for Lucille and Abon Bridges, farmers in Tylertown, Mississippi. When Ruby was two years old, her parents moved their family to New Orleans, Louisiana in search of better work opportunities.
Is Barbara Henry still alive? ›
Barbara Henry, age 85, passed away on March 5, 2023.
