Who Was Ruby Bridges?

On November 14, 1960, six-year-old Ruby Bridges became one of the first Black students to attend an all-white public school in the South. Escorted by federal marshals through crowds of segregationists, Ruby stepped onto her new school’s campus and into the history books. Ruby is remembered for her role in desegregating the William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Louisiana, bravely changing the course of American history.

Ruby Bridges was born in Tylertown, Mississippi, on September 8, 1954. She is one of eight children born to parents Abon and Lucille Bridges. Her parents had little formal education and struggled to earn a modest income in Mississippi. Her father was an Army Veteran and had served in the Korean War, winning a Purple Heart. After the war, he worked as a gas station attendant, and her mother worked as a housekeeper and, for a time, as a casket maker for extra money. Both sets of grandparents were sharecroppers. Abon and Lucille Bridges wanted more for their children. Lucille, especially, was optimistic that her children could go on to achieve the American dream.

When Bridges was four years old, her parents decided to move to the big city of New Orleans, Louisiana. There, they hoped they would find opportunities for themselves and their children. New Orleans would prove to be a life-changing experience for the Bridges family.

Context: Brown vs. Board of Education

By 1960, the crisis required Federal Judge James Skelly Wright, who fully supported racial equality, to take firm action. Wright had already ordered desegregation in public sporting events, city park pools, and buses. This angered people enough to hang effigies and start petitions to remove Wright. However, he was adamant about desegregation. Wright threatened to withdraw funding for schools and prosecute officials if they did not begin the process of desegregation immediately. His threats were effective, and New Orleans started the integration process.

The New Orleans School District would begin the desegregation process, but not without unfairly insisting that potential Black students first pass an intelligence test. Bridges was one of the students who took the exam. After passing the difficult test, her parents were given the option for her to attend an all-white elementary school. The NAACP contacted Abon and Lucille, urging them to put Bridges in an all-white school.

Bridges’ father was unsure initially, fearing retaliation, but her parents decided to claim the opportunity for her to receive an education in an all-white school. Lucille wanted Bridges to have the best education possible and was convinced an all-white school was the best path. At the time, Black schools were inadequately funded and often had inferior buildings and meager school supplies. Bridges was chosen to start first grade at William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans.

Ruby’s First Day of School

On November 14, 1960, Ruby Bridges and her mother, accompanied by four federal marshals, walked through crowds of protesters into the William Frantz Elementary School campus. At six years old, Bridges was innocent and naive to the racist protest happening outside. Bridges later recalled that she was not scared because she felt like she was in a Mardi Gras parade. White parents rushed into the halls to pull their children from the school. So many parents pulled their children from school in protest that Bridges was the only student in her class for the remainder of the school year. The experience was isolating for a little girl with many friends at her previous school.

Most teachers left William Frantz Elementary School, refusing to work at an integrated campus. However, one teacher was eager to work with Bridges. Barbara Henry, from Boston, would become Bridges’ first-grade teacher. Henry was a devoted educator and dedicated the year to ensuring Bridges felt safe and received a quality education. Neither Henry nor Bridges missed a day of school.

During her first year at William Frantz Elementary School, Bridges met regularly with psychiatrist Robert Coles. He would make home visits with young Bridges, often asking her to draw pictures or talk about her experiences during the school year. Dr. Coles admired Bridges’ moral strength and forgiving nature. In 1995, Coles wrote a children’s book titled The Story of Ruby Bridges. His book inspired a 1998 Disney TV movie titled Ruby Bridges.

For weeks, protesters gathered outside William Frantz Elementary School. Groups of parents and local citizens organized protest groups and demonstrations that engaged in stoning cars, taunting, and booing from street corners. A group of white mothers, who called themselves “The Cheerleaders,” slashed car tires, shouted racial slurs, and made threats. Holding signs and chanting in support of segregation, the mobs were diligent in their efforts to intimidate the Bridges family into withdrawing her from school. Despite the pressure, her parents did not give in.

Bridges’ integration into a white school was not without a high price. Her father lost his job because customers threatened to boycott the service station. The family was banned from entering the grocery store. It even caused a disagreement within the family as Bridges’ grandmother, whom she adored, disliked the idea of putting young Bridges through the ordeal. Despite what anyone felt about it, Bridges’ mother was determined that her daughter get the best education possible. Young Bridges would remain at William Frantz Elementary School.

Love Thy Neighbor: Support for the Bridges

Despite the bigotry and protests that lasted months, the Bridges family received an outpouring of love and support from neighbors. They helped babysit, brought food, and often helped Bridges prepare for school. Their community banded together as a sort of “neighborhood watch” program to keep the Bridges family, who feared retaliation, safe. After her father lost his job, a neighbor hired him as a painter. The extra support from their neighbors helped the Bridges family weather the scary and unpredictable political climate in New Orleans. Ruby Bridges’ story inspired many who read it in the newspapers. Support began to come from others as well.

The Bridges family was surprised to see gifts and money pouring in from around the world. Money helped the family get by that year, but so did supportive letters that lifted the family’s spirit. The Bridges family even received a letter from Eleanor Roosevelt, the widow of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Bridges later recalled that the Roosevelt letter was a family favorite.

Ruby Bridges’ personal life would be profoundly affected by her early years at William Frantz Elementary. When she was a teenager, her parents separated due to stress and financial problems. After her parent’s separation, she moved into housing projects with her mom and had to help raise her siblings. Nonetheless, Bridges was raised a Christian and believed in the power of prayer. Coming from a religious household, Bridges drew tremendous strength from her faith throughout her lifetime.

After graduating high school, she did not go to college but chose to study travel and tourism. Bridges was one of the first Black travel agents for American Express in New Orleans. Working as a travel agent, she enjoyed traveling the world for fifteen years. She later married Malcolm Hall and raised four sons in New Orleans.

Later, however, the sudden death of her brother Milton prompted her to reflect on her purpose in life. The tragedy led her on a path of volunteerism and activism. After seeing that inner-city schools needed funding and programs, Bridges devoted her life to helping children. Her entry into public activism helped her reunite with her first-grade teacher, Barbara Henry, and the two remain close today. Her role as a Civil Rights leader has been exceptional and has dramatically impacted the United States.

Ruby Bridges: Civil Rights Activist

Bridges’ childhood shaped her decision to become active in the Civil Rights movement. Bridges uses her unique experience and courageous spirit to foster change and unity. Throughout her lifetime, she has been a central figure in the movement, advocating for equality and kindness. Bridges found her purpose in life by inspiring young people.

In 1999, she created the Ruby Bridges Foundation to empower young minds, encourage social change, and promote equality through education. She also makes public appearances, gives speeches, and writes books to promote these goals. As a Civil Rights leader, Bridges has made it her mission to change the world by embracing differences and fighting racism.

Bridges has leaned strongly on her religious background throughout her life. She believes her faith guides her in her work as a Civil Rights leader. She has embraced her inspirational story and continues to share it with the hope of promoting equality. She aspires to end racism and sends the message that “racism has no place in the hearts and minds of our children.”

Ruby Bridges’ bravery and sacrifice have been honored in numerous ways. Every year, on November 14, Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day commemorates her inspirational journey to desegregate her school. A National Register of Historic Places monument was placed at the William Frantz Elementary School, while two additional schools, located in California and Washington, are named after her.

Bridges was memorialized in the 1963 Norman Rockwell painting The Problem We All Live With. In 2011, President Barack Obama hung the Rockwell painting in the White House. The famous painting has become a symbol of desegregation in America. It is now housed at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Massachusetts.

In 2001, Bridges was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal by former President Bill Clinton. She also won the NAACP Martin Luther King Award, the John Steinbeck Award, the Carter G. Woodson Book Award for her book Through My Eyes, and has been awarded countless honorary degrees and other honors.

Ruby Bridges continues to use her story to passionately advocate for racial equality. She has become a worldwide symbol of bravery and courage. Her life story and ongoing dedication to the Civil Rights movement have solidified her place in American history. Ruby Bridges’ courage to desegregate an all-white school, her ability to overcome, and her ongoing commitment to the Civil Rights movement have made her a national hero.

Further Reading

Bridges, R. (1999). Through my eyes. Scholastic Press.