Discover 24 Unbelievable Fun Facts About Ruby Bridges: The Little Girl Who Changed History!

1. Ruby: The Bridge to Integration

Forget about crossing the bridge when you come to it, Ruby Bridges *was* the bridge: On her first day of school, she became the first African American child to integrate an all-white elementary school in the South, escorted by four U.S. marshals – a feat so iconic that it inspired Norman Rockwell's painting "The Problem We All Live With."
Source => gocruisers.org

2. Ruby's Red-Carpet-Style Security Escort

Escorting Ruby or the Lonesome Mum Club March: Believe it or not, when six-year-old Ruby Bridges courageously integrated an all-white school in November 1960, her mother and federal marshals (as if they were going to the Oscars) formed her own personal security escort, stylishly navigating through hostile crowds like it was a red carpet. The serious reveal: Ruby's undeniable bravery changed the course of history and paved the way for future generations of African American kids to access equal educational opportunities without having to face racially charged barriers.
Source => hilbert.edu

Did you know the real-life "Moses" was a fearless woman named Harriet Tubman? She led 19 daring trips to free around 300 slaves through the Underground Railroad! Discover her astonishing story 🚂💪🔗

=> Fun Facts about Harriet-Tubman

3. Ruby Grahams: Breakfast of Trailblazers

In a world where breakfast cereals have mascots with more name recognition than some politicians, there's one brave little girl who's deserving of her own box of "Ruby Grahams": At just six years old, Ruby Bridges fearlessly became the first African American student at William Franz Elementary School in New Orleans in 1960, overcoming angry protestors and threats each day to secure a better future for students of color and their right to equal education in the United States.
Source => kennedy-center.org

4. Disney's Made-for-TV Civil Rights Heroine

Who said a school day wasn't an adventure? Six-year-old Ruby Bridges sure proved that frog-in-the-throat feeling when making history isn't just for Disney flicks: As the first African-American student to integrate an elementary school in New Orleans in 1960, her brave actions became a civil rights milestone and inspired Disney to produce a made-for-TV movie in 1998 about her awe-inspiring life journey.
Source => imdb.com

5. Ruby Paves the Way Before Rosa Parks

Before Rosa Parks had a seat on the bus, little Ruby Bridges walked the walk: In 1960, six-year-old Ruby Bridges became the first African-American student to attend the previously all-white William Franz Public School in New Orleans, leaving an indelible mark on the American Civil Rights Movement and inspiring the iconic Norman Rockwell painting "The Problem We All Live With."
Source => obamawhitehouse.archives.gov

6. Take a Federal Marshal to School Day

Forget "Take Your Child to Work Day" – Ruby Bridges took "Take a Federal Marshal to School Day" to a whole new level: At just six years old, starting from November 14, 1960, Ruby bravely attended an all-white school in New Orleans, escorted by federal marshals for an entire year, facing angry protests and racial slurs but never missing a day. Norman Rockwell even captured her courage in his iconic 1964 painting, "The Problem We All Live With."
Source => womenshistory.org

7. A Year of Courage: Ruby Bridges' Story

A tale as old as New Orleans gumbo: a six-year-old Ruby Bridges proved no "tuffet" could stop her, as she bravely faced hostility and threats of violence while attending William Frantz Elementary School for an entire year, being the only Black student in her first-grade class.
Source => calendar.eji.org

8. Hallway Heroics with Ruby Bridges

In a world where school supplies consist of nerve and bravery rather than pencils and paper, an extraordinary little girl dares to defy the odds: At just six years old, Ruby Bridges courageously marched her way into history, with her famous 1960 schoolintegration immortalized by Norman Rockwell's iconic painting, "The Problem We All Live With," which remains a powerful emblem of the civil rights movement to this day.
Source => womenshistory.org

9. From A to B, Ruby Bridges Makes History

They say the best bridge takes you from A to B, but Ruby Bridges took it up a notch, making history in the process: As the first African American child to integrate a New Orleans school, the feisty six-year-old braved racial hatred, threats of violence, and seething opposition to not only graduate but later work to promote education and racial harmony through her very own Ruby Bridges Foundation.
Source => blackpast.org

10. No "Sick" Days for Ruby Bridges

In a feat worthy of a dedicated sitcom character who never breaks continuity: Ruby Bridges made sure not to miss a single day of school during her first year of integration, braving crowds that hurled outrageous slurs, yet triumphantly marching on!
Source => womenshistory.org

11. Protection Squad and Parent Power

Now, here's a twist on "take your child to work day"! In the 1960s, Ruby Bridges had her very own personal protection squad ready to march her to school and faces that would brighten any corridor: the brave federal marshals. Here's the scoop: For an entire year, Ruby was escorted to school by federal marshals, while her father orchestrated additional security measures, enlisting a prison guard neighbor to watch their house at night. As a cherry on top, African American parents joined the march, walking their kids to school in solidarity and ensuring Ruby and her family's safety.
Source => womenshistory.org

12. Lunchroom Security for Little Ruby Bridges

Walking the halls of fame, or in this case, the halls of school, was quite the ordeal for young Ruby Bridges: Escorted daily by federal marshals during her first year, she even had a classroom reserved just for her to safely consume her lunch amidst the hostile environment.
Source => theguardian.com

13. Ruby's Foundation for Tolerance & Education

No "sick" days for little Miss Bridges: Despite facing intense racism, Ruby Bridges didn't miss a single day of school during her first year integrating an all-white New Orleans elementary, went on to graduate from a desegregated high school, and established The Ruby Bridges Foundation for tolerance and education.
Source => womenshistory.org

14. Fearless Six-Year-Old Civil Rights Icon

She was the OG trailblazer with more courage than a lioness in a den of hyenas: Ruby Bridges, at just six years old, bravely faced angry protestors to become the first African-American child to desegregate the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana in 1960, inspiring people through her resilience and even praying for her enemies.
Source => goodreads.com

15. Personal Security Detail and Lifelong Friendship

They said she had her "own personal security detail" – and they weren't kidding: As the first African American child to attend the all-white William Frantz Elementary School, Ruby Bridges was escorted by federal marshals every single day due to threats on her safety, with one of these marshals, Charles Burks, eventually becoming a dear friend and mentor who stayed in touch with her for over half a century until his passing in 2018.
Source => womenshistory.org

16. Tolerance Advocate and Children's Author

If you think older is wiser, then you haven't met Ruby Bridges: a living advocate for tolerance, this feisty firecracker founded the Ruby Bridges Foundation in 1999 to foster racial unity and penned the charming children's tale "I Am Ruby Bridges", proving that kids can hold the key to unlocking a future free of prejudice.
Source => ebony.com

17. Trailblazer and Upcoming Book Release

In a race to educate, Ruby Bridges left haters gazing at her trailblazing: As the first Black student to desegregate Louisiana's William Frantz Elementary School in 1960 amid angry white protestors, Ruby Bridges went on to become a staunch advocate for racial justice and equality, authoring numerous books, including the upcoming picture book "I Am Ruby Bridges," set to release on September 6, 2022, and illustrated by Nikkolas Smith, who calls the opportunity to work with the civil rights icon an absolute honor.
Source => abcnews.go.com

18. History-Making With Personal Security Detail

Meet Ruby, the girl with her personal security detail for 'elementary' reasons: For an entire year, four federal marshals escorted young Ruby Bridges to and from her William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans as she braved hostile crowds, vocal protests, and even a chaotic first day that landed her in the principal's office, all in pursuit of her education and to make history as a symbol of desegregation.
Source => womenshistory.org

19. Alchemy of Integration: Ruby's Foundation

Combining the powers of an elementary school and an alchemist's quest for unity, Ruby Bridges created a potion that magically transforms differences into respect and appreciation: In 1999, she formed the Ruby Bridges Foundation, envisioning a school within the William Frantz Elementary building that will serve as a beacon of integration, equity, and a world filled with rainbows embracing racial and cultural differences, leading towards a more harmonious and tolerant future.
Source => thelifeofrubybridges.weebly.com

20. Swapping Hopscotch for Civil Rights

Swapping dolls for history books and hopscotch for civil rights: at the tender age of six, Ruby Bridges boldly stepped into William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, etching her name in history as the first black child to attend an all-white institution. Bonding closely with her first-grade teacher, Mrs. Henry, and courageously confronting daily threats from protesters, Ruby's fearless journey has been immortalized through books, movies, paintings, and even a musical called "Ruby! The Story of Ruby Bridges."
Source => dramaticpublishing.com

21. Statue-tory Recognition for Ruby Bridges

Talk about breaking down barriers and making history with a statue-tory twist: In 2014, a statue of Ruby Bridges was unveiled at William Frantz Elementary School's courtyard, celebrating her monumental role as the first African-American student to integrate an all-white school in the Deep South during the New Orleans school desegregation crisis of 1960.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

22. The Federal Marshal-Escorted Brave Girl

In a world where marshals specialized in escorting six-year-olds instead of hunting down criminals, one brave girl stepped up to the task: Ruby Bridges, at the tender age of six, became the first Black child to integrate an all-white elementary school in New Orleans in 1960, fearlessly walking past protestors and threats each day, with none other than federal marshals as her personal entourage to school, securing her place as a civil rights icon.
Source => hickoryrecord.com

23. A Cap and Gown Like a Boss

Remember that time when Ruby Bridges strutted her cap and gown like a boss at a certain Louisiana stadium? Oh, wait: In May 2012, Ruby Bridges received an Honorary Degree from Tulane University at the Superdome, in recognition of her unparalleled bravery and steadfast contribution to the civil rights movement.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

24. Unicorns, Leprechauns, and Ruby Bridges

In a world where unicorns are too busy fighting for equal rights to rainbows and leprechauns demand justice for their stolen pots of gold, one brave little girl breaks the barriers of race and prejudice with the power of education: Ruby Bridges founded The Ruby Bridges Foundation in 1999, promoting tolerance and change through education by focusing on children embracing diversity and equal access to education opportunities, regardless of race or ethnicity.
Source => womenshistory.org