The Early Life and Courage of Ruby Bridges: a Portrait of Resilience

It was amazing how innocent and brave Ruby Bridges was as a child even though she was only a child. Ruby was a force for change during one of America's worst times. She was born on September 8 1954 in Tylertown Mississippi. To make ends meet her parents Abon and Lucille Bridges worked hard all the time when she was young in the rural South. In search of better chances and a brighter future Ruby's family moved to New Orleans when she was four years old.

In the history of civil rights Ruby's name will be remembered for her work in schools.

When Ruby Bridges was only six years old she was the first African American child to be allowed to go to New Orleans's all-white William Frantz Elementary School. When the Supreme Court ruled in 1954 in Brown v. Board of Education that state rules that set up separate public schools for black and white children were illegal this important event happened. Yet many Southern schools were slow to integrate even after the ruling. Ruby's admission was a turning point in the civil rights fight.

The first day of school for Ruby at William Frantz was different from every other child's. Amidst violent protests and racist slurs from white parents and students on November 14 1960 she was accompanied to school by four federal agents to keep her safe. During the civil rights movement one of the most famous pictures is of this little girl in a white dress and shiny shoes surrounded by tall police officers. Ruby walked through the angry crowds with her head held high even though some people were yelling and holding signs with nasty words on them.

Rubi felt alone in her first few days at William Frantz. Her days were spent with her teacher Barbara Henry who was the only person who was ready to teach her because her white parents pulled their kids out of school. Ruby got the help and schooling she needed from Mrs. Henry who was born and raised in Boston. Ruby's attitude stayed strong even though the classes were empty and federal agents were always around. Nobody was around to see her learn draw or play during the day.

Many hard things happened to Ruby's family as well. A lot of shops wouldn't sell to her mom because her dad lost his job. After all that the Bridges family was still sure that Ruby's being at school was a step toward a more fair and just world. To help them get through this tough time the black community and some white friends came together and gave them money and emotional support.

There were hard times in Ruby's life but she was also very strong and had a lot of help from the people around her. However Ruby never missed a day of school that year even though she was constantly threatened and bullied. A lot of people were moved by her bravery and it made it possible for other African American kids to go to northern and southern public schools.

Beyond her first steps into William Frantz Elementary Ruby Bridges' childhood had a big effect on her life. Everyone in the country became aware of how unfair segregation was and how badly civil rights needed to be changed because of her bravery. There was also a lot of power in Ruby's story which showed that even the smallest people can make big changes in the world.

Today that she is an adult Ruby Bridges is still a well-known supporter of equality and kindness. With the goal of encouraging respect and understanding between people of all races she started the Ruby Bridges Foundation in 1999. A big part of her work is making sure that the lessons she learned as a child are remembered and that people in the future will continue to work for a society that is more open to everyone.

Ruby Bridges' childhood was a mix of normal and unusual events as we can see by thinking about them. But she was also a civil rights hero who faced unimaginable hardships with grace and drive. She was a little girl who loved to draw and play. Ruby's childhood shows how strong the human spirit is and how long people in America have been fighting for fairness and equality. One brave child can change the world and her story is a strong reminder of that.

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