How does a six-year-old girl change the world? Look at this statue. It depicts Ruby Bridges. This is the Ruby Bridges statue in New Orleans. It stands in the courtyard of William Frantz Elementary School. This school was once all-white. Ruby was the first African-American child to attend.
In 1960 Ruby bravely walked through a hostile crowd. She was only six years old. Federal marshals escorted her. She faced angry protesters throwing things and shouting. Ruby’s courage was remarkable. She didn’t cry. She didn’t whimper. She was a little soldier.
Ruby was the only Black child in her class for a whole year. All the teachers except one refused to teach while she was enrolled. Barbara Henry a teacher from Boston taught Ruby alone. She taught her as if she were teaching a whole class. White parents pulled their children out of the school. They boycotted the school in protest.
One day a 34-year-old Methodist minister Lloyd Anderson Foreman changed everything. He walked his five-year-old daughter Pam through the angry mob. He simply wanted the privilege of taking his child to school. Other white parents followed. The protests began to subside.
Ruby’s family suffered. Her father lost his job. Their local grocery store refused to serve them. Her grandparents were evicted from their land. The family separated. Yet many showed support. A neighbor gave her father a new job. People helped babysit and protected the family home. A relative of Ruby’s child psychiatrist Robert Coles even sent her beautiful clothes. Ruby’s family could never have afforded them.
Ruby’s story is far more than just a school integration story. It is a testament to the power of courage. It’s a reminder of the ongoing fight for equality. This statue here is a symbol of hope and resilience. Look closely. See yourself in Ruby’s brave face. She changed the world. You can too.