Girls can Change the World: Ruby Bridges

Ruby Nell Bridges was born in September 8, 1954, in Tylertown, Mississippi. Her parents were Abon Bridges and Lucille Bridges. They were a black family that lived in Tylertown, Mississippi until her parents thought they would have a better life in New Orleans. So when they moved, Ruby’s parents sent her to the nearby school, which up until now had been an all white school. Since the Civil Rights movement has passed, everyone was given equal rights, so Ruby was allowed to go to this all white school.
On her first day of school, at William Frantz Elementary School, Ruby was escorted by four big men so she would not be hurt by people. When she started school, she had to spend her first few days in the principal’s office for her safety. Mrs. Henry was the only teacher in the school that would teach Ruby and give her an education. So, Mrs. Henry would sit down with Ruby and teach her the lessons. Many of the students would not attend school because their parents wouldn’t let them go and share a classroom with a black child.
One day when she was walking into school, people were chanting rude things to her. Ruby showed no sign of anger. She faced them and prayed to God that he would forgive them. Eventually, kids started coming back to school because they couldn’t be kept away from education for that long.
Now Ruby Bridges is an activist for equal rights and is teaching people about her story. Ruby went to Tulane University in New Orleans. She still lives in New Orleans and is married to Malcolm Hall. They have three children named Craig, Sean, and Christopher Hall.