City Of South San Francisco: Celebrate Ruby Bridges Walk To School Day, November 17, 2021

Press release from the City of South San Francisco:

11/01/2021 8:00 AM

This past September, the State of California established November 14 as Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day. California's recognition is the result of work by fifth-graders at Martin Elementary School in South San Francisco, who took Ruby's legacy to heart: to honor this civil rights pioneer, they planned and organized the first Walk to School Day in 2018.

Join us in celebrating the inspired efforts of our South City students! Read on to learn more about Ruby Bridges and find out how you can participate in this year's Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day on Wednesday, November 17, 2021.

 
Ruby Bridges

On November 14, 1960, when Ruby Bridges was only six years old, she became one of the first black children to integrate New Orleans’ all white public school system. Greeted by an angry mob and escorted by federal marshals, Ruby bravely crossed the threshold of this school, single-handedly initiating the desegregation of New Orleans’ public schools.

Ruby had to be escorted to school by federal mashals for the entire school year. She was the only student in the classroom with teacher Barbara Henry, who was the only teacher willing to accept her, and she spent most of her lunches and recesses alone. In spite of all this, Ruby showed up every day to school, ready to learn, and did not miss a single day of class.

Young Ruby made a lasting impact on the Civil Rights Movement and paved the way for future generations of students of color, but she is not merely an icon of the past. Now married with four grown children of her own, Ruby Bridges-Hall remains a prominent activist, author, and speaker who works to promote tolerance and education.

To learn more about Ruby Bridges, visit these online resources:

The Ruby Bridges Foundation

RubyBridges.com

Library of Congress: Learning Guide

National Civil Rights Museum

Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute (Stanford University)

 
Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day

In May 2018, Mrs. Deborah Carlino's 5th grade class at Martin Elementary School in South San Francisco learned about Ruby Bridges' courage and felt inspired to organize a walk in her honor. With the help of San Mateo County Safe Routes to School, Mrs. Carlino and her class thus created the first Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, which took place on November 14, 2018. 

Word about the students’ walk quickly spread, with more and more schools choosing to participate each year. Now, only a few years later, Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day has been celebrated by students throughout California and in neighboring states. 

In September 2021, Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day was officially recognized by California State Senate. The resolution states that November 14 will from now on be known as Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day in the State of California. It also states that in those years when November 14 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day will be celebrated on the following Wednesday. Thus, this year's Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day will take place on Wednesday, November 17.

Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day is organized by the San Mateo County Office of Education's Safe Routes To School.

Visit their Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day web pages for for educational resources and to find out how you can best participate:

• San Mateo County Educators: Sign up to receive posters and stickers for your students and to find safe walking routes to your school.

• Students: No matter where you live, click here to sign up for Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day and to have your school included on the map of participants.

• Everyone: Link here to track participation across the country!

Recommended Reading

Want to learn more about Ruby Bridges? We've created this book list for you.

Be sure to link to our Book Connections database to find teaching ideas and other resources related to each of these specific titles:

This press release was produced by the City of South San Francisco. The views expressed here are the author’s own.