Brave Ruby Bridges inspired people across the nation to search their hearts for what is right. The March on Washington was almost three years away and the Civil Rights Act of 1964,  almost four years from passing. When…

Ruby Bridges, six years old, was chosen to integrate the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Louisiana. Alone. On November 14, 1960, escorted by federal marshals, Ruby passed through an angry crowd yelling insults at her and entered the school. Immediately, furious parents stormed in and removed their children. Only one teacher, Barbara Henry, agreed to teach first grader Ruby.

In the 1954 landmark Supreme Court decision, Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, “separate but equal” schools were deemed unconstitutional. Yet, schools in New Orleans, Louisiana, and throughout the southern United States did not accept the decision. 

 In 1960, a federal judge ordered that two schools in New Orleans be integrated. Ruby and five other girls were chosen based on a test they had taken. The parents of four of the six decided that their child would attend an all-white school. But only Ruby would go to school by herself.

The Problem We All Live With

By Norman Rockwell

Her father had been reluctant to send her, but her mother believed that Ruby should go. On the morning of the first day, Ruby and her mother were driven the five blocks from their home to the school. Before leaving the marshal’s car, her mother told her: “Ruby Nell, don’t be afraid. There might be some people upset outside, but I’ll be with you.” Her mother continued to encourage her despite the many hardships endured by the family through their decision to send Ruby to the all-white school.

Every day,  during the school year, Ruby entered William Frantz Elementary the same way. But once inside, she spent the day happy with Barbara Henry, her teacher. They read together, played games, enjoyed music, and Ruby learned while the other students in the first grade stayed home. Federal Marshal Charles Banks said later that Ruby never cried. “She just marched along like a little soldier.”

If you like this article, then please consider sharing it and leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author

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