Ruby Bridges was the first African-American student to attend an all-white elementary school in the South.

Ruby was born on 8 September, 1954 in Tylertown, Mississippi to Abon and Lucille Bridges. She was the oldest of 5 children. When Ruby was two years old, her parents, who were farmers, moved their family to New Orleans, Louisiana to search for better work opportunities.

In 1959, Ruby attended a segregated kindergarten.

A year later, a federal court ordered Louisiana to desegregate.

On November 14, 1960, Ruby attended the 'all-white' William Frantz Elementary School for better education. Ruby and her mother were escorted by federal marshals daily to the school. While some families supported her, she still faced blatant racism on a daily basis: people would yell racial slurs at her and her family. Her father lost his job, and grocery stores refused to sell to her mother. Ruby was even once threatened by a woman with a black baby doll in a coffin!

Although her family suffered for their courage, Ruby inspired more African-American students to enroll in the school over time.

Ruby Bridges helped pave the way for Civil Rights action in the American South at only age 6. She is a part of why schools in USA are no longer segregated.

Ruby also created an organisation called The Ruby Bridges Foundation, which seeks to end racism and all forms of bullying through integration and education.

The Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, which honours her bravery, takes place on November 14 each year.

William Frantz Elementary School has also been made a historic site.

8 September, 1954

Ruby Bridges was born in Tylertown, Mississippi.

14 November, 1960

At the age of only six years old, Ruby became one of the first black children to integrate New Orleans’ all white public school system.

14 January, 1964

Painter Norman Rockwell published The Problem We All Live With, an iconic image of the Civil Rights Movement, which depicts Bridges on the way to school.

18 January,1998

The television film, Ruby Bridges, written by Toni Ann Johnson and directed by Euzhan Palcy was released.

1999

Ruby Bridges formed the Ruby Bridges Foundation. She also published her first book: Through My Eyes.

January 8, 2001

Ruby Bridges was recognised for her bravery and contributions: she was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal by President Bill Clinton.

• A Biography of Ruby Bridges

• A summary of her bravery

• A video about Ruby Bridges

• Another video

• The Ruby Bridges Foundation website