Ruby Nell Bridges

Ruby Bridges (http://www.indy.com/photos/38917/post.jpg)

Ruby Bridges was born in Mississippi in 1954. When she was 4, her family moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. She started kindergarten at an all African-American school. When she was 6 she was chosen to go to William Frantz Elementary to integrate schools in Louisiana. Ruby’s father was opposed to this idea but as Ruby’s mother quoted “take this step forward ... for all African-American children.”

Ruby walking from the school. (http://tinyurl.com/25wbk4t)

On Ruby’s first day of school she was escorted by 5 U.S. Marshalls to safely deliver her to her class. When she arrived at the school there were mobs of angry people protesting against integration. There was so much chaos that Ruby had thought it was Mardi Grass! When Ruby first walked into the school, dozens of angry parents came in to remove their children. Ruby ended up spending her whole first day in the principal’s office because of the riots.

Protecting (http://tinyurl.com/2b8gbad)

For Ruby’s first year of school, she was the only person in her class. Despite death threats and the protest she stayed in school and quoted “Racism is a grown-up disease and we should stop using our kids to spread it.”

Ruby is our hero because even at her young age she stood up for what she believed and fought racism. She is an inspiration to who want to make a difference and she has made our country a better place for all people.

Bibliography:
http://rubybridges.com/story.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruby_Bridges
http://rubybridgesfoundation.org/vision/rubys-story/