Every day you walk into school. It probably seems normal. Yet for one girl, stepping into school was an act of bravery. Ruby Bridges became the first Black student in her school. And her courage changed history.
Ruby Bridges was born in 1954. That year was a turning point for the United States. Before then, many cities had separate schools for Black students. But in 1954, the Supreme Court said that public schools could no longer be . Some southern states still separated students by their skin color though.
By 1960, it was time for all-white schools to integrate. One was the William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Louisiana. But who would be the first Black student to go there? Ruby Bridges marched toward the school. She was six years old.
Some people didn’t want a Black girl to attend this school. They were very upset. Crowds yelled at Ruby. Some even threw things at her! But Ruby showed the world her courage as she entered her school.
Ruby spent her first day in this school in the principal’s office. It wasn’t safe for her to be in class. The days that followed were also hard. Many parents pulled their children out of the school because Ruby was there. Only one teacher — Barbara Henry — would teach a Black child. So, Ruby was the only student in her class.
But Ruby never stopped going to school. She believed in education. And she didn’t miss one day that year. Ruby showed courage. And that helped other children of all colors go to school together.
Bridges kept working for . In 1999, she created the Ruby Bridges . That helps support through education. Bridges also wrote books about her life. One is called I Am Ruby Bridges. In that picture book, she spoke about the meaning of her name. She wrote the words as if she were still six.
“When I grow up, my work will be precious. I will be a bridge.
I will bridge the gap between Black and white… and hopefully between all people.”
Updated March 1, 2024, 5:01 P.M. (ET)
By Russell Kahn (Russ)
