Ruby Bridges

This story is about a young African American girl named, Ruby Bridges. Bridges was born on September 8, 1954 in Tylertown, Mississippi. She was the oldest of five children.

Brown vs. Board of Education

The same year Ruby Bridges was born, was the same exact year that the Supreme Court decided to terminate segregation in public schools.

Desegregation

Although Brown vs. Board of Education made an attempt to desegregate schools, the people of the South were not having it.

Ruby's Education

Ruby began her education in New Orleans, Louisiana at a school that was still segregated. In 1960, she began her very first year at William Frantz Elementary School. She was the only African American child to attend the school. She was also the very first African American child to ever attend a school with white children.

Ruby's Parents

Ruby's parents, Adon and Lucille Bridges found themselves very conflicted, as they wanted the best for their daughter, however they were worried about her safety. Ruby's parents discussed with her that she would be attending a new school, yet they failed to tell her the repercussions she would be dealing with every day.

White Parent's

White people of William Frantz Elementary School chanted and yelled awful things at Ruby on her first day. They even forced their children to stay at home for the first few days, some even weeks.

Ruby's First Day

Innocent six year-old Ruby Bridges had no idea she was changing history that very November day. She had no idea why people were gathered around the school and hollering at her. She most definitely did not understand why she was the only one at school.

The Magnificent Teacher

Ruby met a lifelong friend on her first day. This lifelong friend was her teacher, Barbara Henry. She was Ruby's very first friend and the only one in the school who did not judge Ruby for the color of her skin. The two remain friends to this day.