Ruby Nell Bridges was born on September 8, 1954, in Tylertown, Mississippi, to Abon and Lucille Bridges. Their family was poor and had a farm, but they moved to New Orleans at the age of four. Ruby’s father worked as a service station attendant, and her mother took night jobs to support their growing family.
Bridges was the eldest of eight children born into poverty in Mississippi. Her parents worked hard and faced racial tensions during her early years. At the age of two, her family relocated to New Orleans to find better jobs. Ruby’s mother, Lucille Bridges, was described as one of the “Mothers of the Civil Rights Movement” at the time of her death. Ruby reflected on her mother at that time and said that it was her mother who set her on the path.
Bridges was the oldest of five children born to Abon and Lucille Bridges. As a child, she spent much time taking care of her younger siblings. At the age of two, she moved to New Orleans with her parents to seek better opportunities for their family. Ruby’s father worked at a gas station, and her mother worked night jobs to help make ends meet.
Bridges had fun playing with her friends in New Orleans. Her mother, who had been the chief advocate for her attending white school, lost her job as a domestic worker.
Bridges was the oldest of five children, with her father working as a service station attendant and her mother taking night jobs to support their growing family. She had two brothers and five children, with Ruby being the oldest.
Throughout her life, Ruby Nell Bridges emphasized the importance of her family and the significant role her parents played in shaping her life.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Ruby Bridges | Bridges’ father was said to be reluctant, but her mother was eager for her daughter to have this opportunity. Lucille’s mother and father did not have the … | womenshistory.org |
| Ruby Bridges | Bridges was the eldest of five children born to Abon and Lucille Bridges. As a child, she spent much time taking care of her younger siblings, … | en.wikipedia.org |
| Biography for Kids: Ruby Bridges | Her father worked at a gas station and her mother worked night jobs to help make ends meet. Ruby had fun playing with her friends in New Orleans. | ducksters.com |
📹 Ruby Bridges Fought Racism at 6 Years Old Inspirational Documentary Goalcast
At 6 years old, Ruby Bridges went to school in the protection of U.S. Marshals due to threats from white families who didn’t want a …
What Did Ruby Bridges Do For A Living?
Ruby Bridges, born on September 8, 1954, is a renowned civil rights activist celebrated for her extraordinary bravery as a young child during the desegregation of schools in America. At just six years old, on November 14, 1960, she became the first African American child to integrate William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, defying the prevailing racial segregation. Ruby's courageous actions became a pivotal symbol of the civil rights movement, inspiring many to challenge systemic racism and advocate for equality in education. Her experience was marked by federal marshals escorting her to school amidst intense opposition, making her a significant figure in American history.
After completing her education, Bridges initially worked as a travel agent before becoming a stay-at-home mother. In 1993, she returned to her roots as a parent liaison at her former school and later founded the Ruby Bridges Foundation in 1999. This organization focuses on promoting tolerance, respect, and understanding among diverse communities. Throughout the decades, Ruby Bridges has continued her activism, striving to foster a more inclusive society, ensuring her legacy lives on through her foundation's initiatives. Ruby's story represents the enduring struggle for civil rights and the empowerment of future generations.
What Did Ruby Bridges Do Before Becoming A Mother?
Ruby Bridges, born on September 8, 1954, is renowned for becoming the first African American child to integrate an all-white elementary school in the South. On November 14, 1960, at just six years old, she bravely walked into William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, escorted by her mother and federal marshals, amidst hostility and racial slurs. This historic moment would establish her as a key figure in the civil rights movement. Ruby’s parents, Lucille and Abon Bridges, were sharecroppers with limited education, which fueled Lucille’s determination for Ruby to receive a quality education.
Before her activism, Ruby worked as a travel agent for 15 years, ultimately transitioning to a stay-at-home mother raising four sons. In 1993, she became a parent liaison at her former school, continuing her commitment to education and community. In 1999, Ruby founded the Ruby Bridges Foundation to promote tolerance and unity, reflecting her lifelong advocacy for civil rights. Through her work, she has contributed significantly to society, further inspiring future generations.
Ruby's legacy as a civil rights activist stemmed from her courageous actions as a child, paving the way for desegregation in education and promoting equality. Today, she remains an influential figure dedicated to fostering understanding and positive change.
Why Was Ruby Bridges' Father Hesitant About Her Taking The Test?
Ruby Bridges' father was initially against her taking a test to integrate the all-white William Frantz Elementary School, fearing trouble if she passed. Living only five blocks from the school, Ruby had attended a segregated all-Black institution since kindergarten, several miles away. Her mother, Lucille, advocated for the opportunity, believing Ruby would receive a better education at the white school.
Ruby’s father, Abon Bridges, aware of the potential backlash, was reluctant to allow her to integrate. Despite his fears regarding Ruby's safety and acceptance, her mother emphasized the importance of the move not just for Ruby but for all Black children’s future opportunities.
In 1960, at just six years old, Ruby was willing to test her eligibility to join the New Orleans public schools after the NAACP reached out for volunteers. Although Ruby was one of six Black students who passed the test, two opted to stay at their current schools, highlighting the hesitance among Black families regarding desegregation due to safety concerns. The topic created tension within the Bridges household as her father’s anxiety grew over the dangers, yet her mother remained determined that the integration was crucial for Ruby's education and that of other Black children in the community. Ultimately, her mother convinced her father to support Ruby’s enrollment, setting a precedent for school integration.
Why Did Ruby Bridges Become A Civil Rights Activist?
Ruby Bridges is a pivotal figure in American civil rights history. At just six years old, she made headlines as the first African American student to integrate the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans in 1960. Her courageous act, which placed her amid a hostile environment of segregationists and required federal marshals' protection, symbolized the struggle for desegregation in the American South. Despite facing blatant racism and isolation in her classroom, Ruby's determination illuminated the urgent need for change within the education system and broader society.
Ruby Bridges' legacy is a testament to resilience, as she became an enduring symbol of hope for those advocating racial equality. Her early contributions were recognized when President Barack Obama remarked in 2011 that he wouldn’t be in office without her bravery. Ruby’s activism didn't end with her childhood; she established the Ruby Bridges Foundation in 1999 to promote tolerance and spark change through education.
Her experiences have inspired countless individuals and made her a cherished icon of the civil rights movement. Ruby Bridges remains dedicated to fighting for educational equality and advocating for marginalized communities, reinforcing the vital necessity of her legacy in the ongoing battle for civil rights.
Who Was Ruby Nell Bridges?
Ruby Nell Bridges Hall, born on September 8, 1954, in Tylertown, Mississippi, is an iconic civil rights activist known for her role in the desegregation of public schools in the American South. At just six years old, on November 14, 1960, she became the first African American child to attend the formerly whites-only William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, following a federal court order for desegregation. Born into a poor family of eight siblings, Ruby’s parents relocated to New Orleans seeking better opportunities.
Ruby's courageous actions made her a symbol of the civil rights movement, as she faced intense hostility and racism from angry crowds while being escorted by federal marshals to school. Her experience was marked by isolation, as she was often taught alone due to the backlash against her attendance. Ruby became internationally recognized, even inspiring Norman Rockwell’s famous painting, "The Problem We All Live With."
Through her bravery, Ruby Bridges paved the way for subsequent civil rights actions across the nation. She continues to be an advocate for civil rights and education, representing resilience and the struggle against segregation in American history. Ruby Bridges’ legacy endures, highlighting her as a heroic figure who significantly contributed to the fight for equality in education.
Where Was Ruby Bridges Born?
Ruby Nell Bridges, born on September 8, 1954, in Tylertown, Mississippi, is a prominent American civil rights activist. She grew up on a farm where her family worked as sharecroppers. Ruby was the eldest of five children in her family. When she was two years old, her family relocated to New Orleans, Louisiana, seeking better opportunities. In 1960, at the age of six, Ruby became a historic figure by integrating the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, becoming the first African American child to do so.
This significant event occurred against the backdrop of rigid racial segregation in the U. S. at the time. Her parents, Abon and Lucille Bridges, worked hard to provide for their family; Abon was a mechanic and a Korean War veteran, while Lucille did domestic work. Ruby's bravery and determination made her a symbol of the civil rights movement, embodying the struggle against racial prejudice. Her experience as a young child enduring protests and hostility while attending the integrated school highlighted the challenges faced during this tumultuous period in American history. Ruby Bridges remains a respected figure in civil rights advocacy, continuing her work to promote equality and education.
📹 Facts about Ruby Bridges for Kids Biography Video
Learn facts all about Ruby Bridges in this biography video for kids. See how this brave young girl became a Civil Rights icon!
The racism back then was unbearable, Ruby and most of these people are still alive today, that’s why I cannot understand why people say “it’s in the past get over it”, I’ve never seen or heard of people saying to soldiers or veterans that have PTSD “it’s in the past get over it,” or say to Jewish people “the holocaust was in the past get over it” America has such an ugly past, and unfortunately most people want to ignore it and ignore what’s going on now. Instead of trying to see someone else’s point of view they reject that any racism is going on in today’s world. It’s sad that most adults can’t sit down and talk about racism in our country. 🙁
This made me cry and I’m a grown man. I don’t know if it’s anger for those who could treat a beautiful little girl with such cruelty or if it’s because I’m so struck by how brave she is. I think it’s both. What a brave awesome intelligent beautiful person. May the Lord show those ignorant hateful uncivilized people no mercy. I know she wouldn’t condone that sentiment because she’s a bigger person than I am. I can’t help it though. Thank you for what you did and are still doing Mrs. Bridges you’re an American hero.
I can remember perusal this on the news at the time. The words they used were not bleeped out back them because white people used those words daily toward POC who were minding their own business and not doing anything wrong to anyone. Ruby had a large crowd verbally attacking her daily, but I’m sure she had experienced this vitriol by smaller groups while she was outside playing or walking anywhere because racists are filled with hate and have no problem attacking a child. Many of these people are still alive and still see themselves in these articles. I hope that they feel the shame that they should feel that they could ever treat anyone like this let alone a child, but I doubt they’ve changed one bit. 70 million people just voted to return to this.
Its actually sad how most people treated a 6 year old a grown man spit in her a woman said she was going to poison her which made ruby not want to eat how can you feel threatened by the color of someone skin and she was 6 how can you be threatened by a 6 year old these people were sick I can forgive these people though because this was how they were taught to think
She said ” if we are going to get past our racial differences it’s going to come from our kids” Agreed💯. If children learn the right way they would adjust and the younger generation of today is living proof of that. Standing up to their racist old school family members and applying pressure like little Ruby did. Much respect to them 🙏🏾. Of course It’ll never be a perfect system but we shall continue to elevate bar none!
That small girl was SO SO SO SO BRAVE and a beacon for change. Wow it has me crying. We never had segregated schools in UK not in my lifetime or my mother’s or my nanas.. but this girl paved the way for integrated schools in the usa. It does still happen today even in the UK. Back when my son was born in 2005 he had the n word called him a few times in pri.ary school and high school. Its starts with the parents. Teach your kids better!
WOW! That was such an emotional rollercoaster 💚 It’s was heartbreaking, heartwarming, powerful and touched every piece of my soul from the inside out 💔💫❤️ The bravery, the unbelievable cruelty to the humanity and love between 2 beautiful souls from different generations that tells such a meaningful msg that I truly cannot put into words 💫
BRAVEST GIRL ON THE PLANET!!! Absolutely NO child should have gone through such a terrible ordeal!!! However, we thank God 🙏 that this precious little girl stood strong and changed this ENTIRE country!!! I grew up in this era with a racist mother and I could NEVER-EVER understand her way of thinking. I refused to pass racism on to my own children, for this reason. This incredible woman is a VERY important part of our history in America. 🇺🇸
I’m white and grew up in a very white household. Thankfully in middle school I was allowed to go to school and not be homeschooled. I had a black math teacher at that school that taught us black history and had us watch this movie and took us to an all black school. I’m so incredibly thankful to her for that because I got zero black education in my home. I remember absolutely loving the Ruby Bridges movie she showed us. Thank you Mrs. Freeman! ❤
I was there. Not at Ruby’s school but at the Birmingham church bombing, which was much worse. I saw the bodies of the four girls being carried away on the stretchers. I also witnessed friends, parents, other adults saying they deserved it: this wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for ‘outside agitators’ (that’s the word we used back then). If you haven’t heard the song “Birmingham Sunday,” it’s readily available.
I definitely remember that time in history. I thought Ruby Bridges was the bravest little girl in the world. She held her head high and always walked with dignity. Her mother made sure she was always spotless. She and her teacher made great strides in repairing some of the injustices of the time. Unfortunately, there are still some that desire a return to their belief were “The Good Old Days”. Thank you for sharing this flash back to the past.
Ruby is the same age as my mom, but when we were taught about segregation or late Jim Crow era, we were ALWAYS presented with black & white pictures. The way our history books portrayed this/how our teachers explained it, was that it happened SOOOO long ago, when it is only two generations removed from mine. Have you ever noticed how you’ve seen a TON of pictures of Marilyn Monroe in color, but almost every single one of Martin Luther King was shown in black & white?? Marilyn is older than MLK (although, not by much). Is it starting to make sense?? We’re purposely shown these images in B&W so it appears as if it was so far removed from modern day. I sat down & talked w my mom about segregation/how Ruby is her age, and she told me that right before she had entered highschool, in DENVER, schools were STILL segregated, and her class was one of the first (in the area) to have both black and white students together. They would bus a group of black children into her school, and bus a group of white children over to the black schools downtown. I’ve never had these talks with my mom before, so it was shocking to hear that she had experienced this first hand. Yes, when we were taught about segregation, teachers/history books gave us dates, but the language used to describe it made it sound like it was a much longer time ago. I highly suggest sitting down with your parents, grandparents and great grandparents (if your fortunate enough to have them around still) and have a talk with them about their experiences during these times.
It’s amazing to me how this ever manifested in reality. I mean I’m white but you want to know a secret you won’t hear most white people say? Most of my heroes growing up were/ are black. The first guy I wanted to be like was Michael Jordan then in high school Ronnie Coleman and now as an adult David Goggins. Yeah I have white heroes too but for some reason the black guys just seemed cooler and like they had more resolve.
I was born in 1942 in Chicago, Illinois, and was educated there, and earned all my income there by honest work, and taking responsibility for my life, and helping non beggars help themselves. I am back in Mexico, for the safety, beauty, and the cleanliness of Queretaro, Mexico. I do speak Spanish as a second language. Do what you have to do to survive. Always do you. Rent and utilities were too expensive, so I had to take my pension and I moved to Mexico on 11-2-2021. I have been coming to Mexico, since 1962, and beautiful Acapulco is my love, but the earthquakes is why I did not retire there. At 79, I had to leave the USA due to deadly crimes, high rents and utilities. I am happy in Queretaro, Mexico. Thank you God.
Loving or hating someone is a choice. We read about our country’s history, yet many still choose to follow that same hated..and that’s a choice..not necessarily thought. Many parents raised their child(ren) well yet some turn out like the devil… by choice… We can break the chain of hatred and start loving, uplifting, helping and be one another’s sister or brother helper by choice…anyway, be bless!
Imagine if the world made by what the KKK wants : – school for Chinese like me – school for black people – school for Indian – school for Hispanic – school for Arabic people – scholl for mix people 😄 ( like my children : white + Chinese ) – school for mix mix miiiix miiixx e.z.v ☺ Tired ! Hatred never ends but LOVE ended everything 💚 be kind one another guys ! Love this article, never heard about her before I saw this vid, I am a noob.
Whenever I tell someone “thank goodness I was born in the 🇺🇲” – I always have to add the caveat… “in this era”. In October 2016 I arrived to Florida from NJ w/only $60 & a dream. No car, no friends, no place to stay… just a dream. Now I travel to Brazil every 2-3 months to do social work in the favelas & to visit friends there. This relatively quick 4 yr turnaround could only be possible here in U.S.A. where hard work & a positive attitude are rewarded. However once again, as a black man I must add… only here in the 🇺🇲 – in THIS era. Although at times we still have to fight lingering racial disparities in this country during 2020, things are SO much better than in the past (or even compared to Brazil🇧🇷 which is still plagued with a disturbing amount of clear & present racism today). So for all it’s flaws & dark history, there’s no place I’d rather be than here in the U.S.A (in THIS era).💫 ✌🏾 & 💖
Isn’t it mad how people say this generation is soft yet the last couldn’t handle a little girl going to school. Isn’t it shocking how young these people still are. Old fashioned values at work. Would be interesting to find the people that were protesting and see where they are now and do they still believe what they did then.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. John 3:36 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23 Jesus Christ is the only way, seek Him while He may be found, before it’s too late, tomorrow is never promised.
Alot of these people are still alive they are just old people now with that same hatred in there blood and have raised their children up the same way their children should be in there 50s and up. Alot of your judges and lawyers and police officer was very racist they all not gone they still here most of them
Ruby was a courageous little girl during those days and now she’s a woman the children that was in the closet in the classroom they were courageous 2 and God bless you all that he have protect you to live to see that individuals have hatred and don’t know why they hate you but may God protect them and show them the way that hatred is not in his heart it’s only love unity respect and Humanity for all.
People always call her “brave”. She wasn’t even old enough to know she was being brave. She didn’t know her life was at risk. That’s why they picked a tiny helpless little girl instead of a 14 year old boy. I’m so grateful that Ruby survived and things changed for the better but we all know that poor sweet little baby had no say in the matter.
See in the positive they were a few people who taught their kids it’s OK and to play with her. The picture of her and two white girls brings a shine. Those people out there wanting a six years old child to die and most probably saying they are Christian and they go to church every Sunday. What a bunch of Devils against a small child. How sick they were!
I suspect today that this article about the racist vitriol that Ruby experienced can’t be shown in schools of the Republican states that have legally banned CRT from school curricula. How then do you show children what actually happened to teach not to let it happen again (especially while there are people lying that such things never happened)?
In the article ruby said that,she never a saw a white teacher before, the teacher look like the other people that hated her .however she said the teacher was not like them,she was different,the teacher saw good in her,and the teacher treated her the way she would have wanted anybody to treat her own kids.
GOD has a way of placing people in the world at the right time. Ruby was a child and the face of desegregation. I am sure that GOD gave her, her family, teacher and friend what they needed to be strong and change the world. I cannot imagine how she was able to walk through that hateful crowd with her head held high. I cannot imagine going to school day in, day out hearing those nasty worlds about the color of my skin. I cannot imagine how strong her shoulders had to be, to carry the hope of a people, of a nation. It is truly amazing how GOD uses ordinary people in the most extraordinary ways!
7:28 Am I wrong to be bothered that they censored this? I feel like, if some third party is relating her story then it’s one thing, but she is telling her personal story. She lived this. And she chose to relate it fully, including the slur which show its full egregiousness. I feel like censoring the word in this instance is censoring the reality that she lived.
Isaiah 53:5, But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes, we are healed. For salvation, people just need to follow the way they did it in Acts? They were baptized in the water and of the spirit. Here’s why! The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. If we are to follow him, we must do the same thing. Death= repentance, Burial = baptism, and resurrection = being filled with the Holy Ghost and rising again from dead works of the flesh. That’s what Acts 2:38 is. Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. We must obey the gospel, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that OBEY NOT THE GOSPEL of our Lord Jesus Christ… Matthew 7:21-23, Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that DOETH THE WILL OF MY FATHER which is in Heaven. St John 3:3-5, EXCEPT a man, be born of WATER AND OF THE SPIRIT, he cannot enter into the kingdom of GOD. We can’t come up with our own gospel. Galatians 1:8-9, But though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. Don’t be cursed. One way for all people. Jews, Gentiles, and Samaritans. Our salvation has to match-up with the scriptures and no scriptures on the subject can be taken away.
Because of knowledge of the TWO WITNESSES from Holy Revelation New Testimony since 12years I am persecuted and tortured…. ; even family,old friends…But I found true Love and Power in God and washed up from many sinns… I live almost like in desert 🏝️,but God is with me and all Saints. I hope I will bring up my Cross to God’s Kingdom.Halelluja