Ruby Bridges

Young Ruby Bridges (http://rubybridgesfacts.com/)

Ruby Bridges was born in Mississippi in 1954 to Abon and Lucille Bridges. She moved to New Orleans, Louisiana when she was younger. Before that she lived with her grandparents on their farm. As a child she stayed mostly on her own block, except for the long walk to her segregated school where she went to kindergarten. In 1960 Ruby took a test with lots of other black kids in order to see who would go to the desegregated school in September. That summer her family found out that she would be attending William Frantz Public School for first grade. Her parents disagreed on whether or not she should attend the school but in the end her mother convinced her father that it was the right thing to do, not only for Ruby, but for all the black children of America. November 16, 1960 was the day that Ruby started her new school. She was going to be the only black child attending William Frantz Public School.

That day she was driven to school by U.S. Marshalls. Her mother came with her. While driving the 5 blocks to the school a Marshall explained to them that they would be escorted in by 4 men. They would then be protected on all sides. Her mother told her not to be afraid as they stepped outside into the crowd of protestors. She spent her whole first day in the principal's office and then the Marshalls drove her home. The next day was worse. There were some people holding a coffin with a doll of a black girl in it. That scared her more than any of their words. Ruby Bridges spent most of first grade alone with her teacher. The white parents refused to let their children attend school with a black child. Ruby's family was also suffering. Her father was fired from his job, white people wouldn't allow her family to shop at their grocery store, and her grandparents were asked to move off of their land. Some kind hearted neighbors and friends did what they could to help by watching their house, giving her father a new job, and even walking behind the Marshall's car on the way to school. She made it through that first year and it ended with much less protestors. She was sad to leave Mrs. Henry but thought that she would see her next year.

When Ruby was a child she also had some help from another adult. Dr. Robert Coles had seen Ruby through the protestors and decided he should help. He was soon visiting her home and school every day to see how she was doing. He also went on to publish a children's book about Ruby. This book helped Mrs. Henry reconnect with Ruby.

Ruby Bridges was a huge part of school integration. She went through the crowds of white protestors every morning and even prayed for them. As a child she still had the ability to forgive them for what they were doing. She persevered through tough times and through a school year of hate, with the help of her teacher and family. The next year that she went to school Mrs. Henry wasn't there and neither were the protestors. She saw children at school, many of them black. Much had changed and it was all thanks to her.

I chose Ruby as my hero because I know what it is like going to a new school and not knowing what to expect. Ruby stood tall through all of the hateful and hurtful feelings aimed towards her and, even though she had no other children to talk to, she made it through that first hard year. Even at age 6 she was able to forgive the people who treated her badly. She prayed for them and never returned their hurtful words. I think Ruby has an amazing story and she helped a lot of kids gain better educations.