Ruby Bridges: Walking into History

This September, we honor the legacy of Ruby Bridges, born on September 8, 1954. She served a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement as the first African American child to attend an all-white Southern elementary school following a federal mandate to desegregate schools.

Ruby Bridges was born in Tylertown, Mississippi, and moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, when she was four years old. In 1960, at just six years old, Bridges became a key figure in the struggle for racial equality. The landmark Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954) had declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, and yet, many schools in the South, including those in New Orleans, remained segregated. To enforce the court's ruling, the NAACP selected Bridges to attend William Frantz Elementary School, an all-white school in New Orleans.

On November 14, 1960, escorted by four federal marshals, she walked through an angry mob of protesters who were vehemently opposed to integration. The scene was chaotic, with people shouting insults, holding signs with racist messages, and even threatening her life. Despite the hostility, young Bridges remained calm and composed, demonstrating a bravery beyond her years. Her first day at William Frantz marked a significant moment in the Civil Rights Movement, symbolizing the fight against racial segregation and discrimination in education.

Bridges’s courage was not only a display of personal strength but also a profound statement against the injustices of the time. For months, she was the only student in her class because other parents withdrew their children in protest. She was taught by Barbara Henry, a teacher from Boston who showed unwavering support and commitment to Bridges’ education and well-being. Despite the isolation and threats to her safety, Bridges continued to attend school daily.

Official White House Photo by Pete Souza / Obama White House Archives

Ruby Bridges is the girl portrayed in Norman Rockwell's famous painting, "The Problem We All Live With," which depicts Bridges as she is escorted to school on the court-ordered first day of integrated schools in New Orleans in 1960.

When the Norman Rockwell Museum loaned the painting to the White House for a short period of time, President Obama invited Bridges to view the painting while it was on display outside the Oval Office.

Ruby Bridges' walk into William Frantz Elementary was only the beginning of her lifetime of advocacy. As an adult, she has advocated for tolerance and education, sharing her story with young people across the country to promote understanding and unity. In 1999, she established the Ruby Bridges Foundation, aimed at promoting "the values of tolerance, respect, and appreciation of all differences." Through her foundation, Bridges works to eliminate racism and prejudice in schools and communities.

Bridges once said, "Don’t follow the path. Go where there is no path and begin the trail." As we honor her this month, we remember not only her bravery as a child but her steadfast determination for progress.

Today, Ruby Bridges remains a living testament to the power of courage and conviction in the face of adversity. By honoring her heroic spirit, we celebrate the progress that has been made and acknowledge the work that still needs to be done. United, we can all walk the path of courage and change, as Bridges did, to build a future of equality and understanding for all.