Enthusiastic Turnout Marks First Ruby Bridges Day in Marin
With an impressive student turnout at 42 elementary schools, Marin Safe Routes to Schools celebrated its first-ever county-wide Ruby Bridges 2024 Walk and Roll to School Day on November 15.
The event served as a powerful educational platform, highlighting the significance of Ruby Bridges, a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement during the 1960s. The celebration provided a unique opportunity to make connections with the work we do to provide healthy, active travel for all in Marin.
Ruby Bridges, a six-year-old African American girl attended an all-white elementary school in New Orleans. In 1960, at the age of six, she bravely faced hostility during her daily walk to class and also when all her classmates left the school upon her arrival. With courage and resilience, she graduated from a desegregated high school and later won the Carter G. Woodson Book Award for writing about her experience. 
Despite unfavorable weather forecasts, schools remained steadfast in holding their event with thousands of students marching down the streets waving purple flags–Ruby’s favorite color.
Loma Verde parent volunteer Kelly Smith remarked, “If Ruby was able to take crowds of yelling people, screaming threats, and getting things thrown at her, we can take a little rain.”
Venetia Valley School’s 300 participants showcased a resilient spirit with walking school buses, bike trains, and individual walkers. Their parent volunteer, Heather Crossen, echoed Smith’s sentiment: “Ruby overcame all obstacles in her route to school every day. What’s a little rain to us? Maybe we’ll just have a bad hair day.”
Deena Blas, a parent volunteer from Pleasant Valley School, emphasized the broader societal impact: “Ruby Bridges Walk and Roll to School Day is a call to action to continue our journey to end racism and all forms of bullying in our schools.” Blas also highlighted the environmental benefits of reducing vehicular traffic on the roads for the overall well-being of the community.
The Marin Independent Journal covered the Ruby Bridges Day 2024 event at Pleasant Valley. To read the story, click HERE.
If you must DRIVE to school, please be extra vigilant during school arrival and departure times and remember these important safety tips:
Allow extra time for travel
Go slow and scan for children, especially during morning and afternoon commute times
Stay alert – eyes up and focus on the drive; mobile devices can take a back seat to safety
Learn more about Safe Routes to Schools Marin and MCBC’s education and encouragement programs here.
join THE marin county bicycle coalition
We’re working to make bicycling safe, fun, and accessible for children and families. Join us today!
FAQs
Woodson Book Award for writing about her experience. Despite unfavorable weather forecasts, schools remained steadfast in holding their event with thousands of students marching down the streets waving purple flags–Ruby's favorite color.
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.
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's 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.
What is the new color for 2024? ›
Benjamin Moore's 2024 Color of the Year is Blue Nova, a cool and captivating shade of blue with the prettiest hint of violet.
Is Ruby Bridges black or white? ›
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.
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.
What did Ruby Bridges' dad do? ›
The Bridges family suffered for their decision to send her to William Frantz Elementary: her father lost his job as a gas station attendant; the grocery store the family shopped at would no longer let them shop there; her grandparents, who were sharecroppers in Mississippi, were turned off their land; and Abon and ...
What was Ruby Bridges' real name? ›
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.
Was Ruby Bridges polite? ›
There were no other children to keep Ruby company, to play with and learn with, to eat lunch with. But every day, Ruby went into the classroom with a big smile on her face, ready to get down to the business of learning. “She was polite and she worked well at her desk,” Mrs. Henry said.
For dinner, they ate New Orleans or Southern food like red beans and rice. Sometimes, they had fried catfish or shrimp for dinner. Ruby's favorite desserts were banana pudding and sweet potato pie.
When did Ruby Bridges get married? ›
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.
How to contact Ruby Bridges? ›
To connect with the Ruby Bridges Foundation, you can email walktoschoolday@rubybridges.foundation.
Who inspired the ruby bridge? ›
Answer and Explanation: Malcolm Bridges's, Ruby's younger brother's, death inspired her to establish the Ruby Bridges Foundation. She is currently a promoter of education and helps educate destitute, orphaned, and needy children.
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 is Ruby's favorite color? ›
What is the theme of year 2024 color? ›
Pantone named Peach Fuzz (Pantone 13-1023) as its Color of the Year for 2024. The soft, heartfelt hue expresses the desire to nurture kindness, compassion, and connection—all while fostering a deep coziness as we seek a peaceful future.
What color is predicted for 2024? ›
The 2024 color trends lean into comfort, versatility and a solid tie to natural elements. This year's palette spans from a subtle yet solid black through a revitalizing sky blue to a toned-down olive green and warm peach.
What is the color of the year 2025? ›
The Color of the Year 2025: Future Dusk
WGSN, the global authority on consumer and design trends, and Coloro, the global authority on the future of color, today announced Future Dusk as the Color of the Year for 2025. Future Dusk (Coloro 129-35-18) is a dark, moody and intriguing hue, sitting between blue and purple.
