Ruby Bridges

Where did Ruby Bridges grow up?

Ruby Bridges grew up on a small farm in Tylertown, Mississippi. Her parents were sharecroppers, meaning they farmed the land, but didn't own it. When Ruby was four years old, her family moved to New Orleans.

In New Orleans, Ruby lived in a small apartment where she shared a bedroom with her sister and two younger brothers. Her father worked at a petrol station and her mother worked night jobs to help have enough money for food. Ruby had fun playing with her friends in New Orleans. They played football, jumped rope, and climbed trees.

Attending School

Ruby went to FS at an all-black school. The schools in New Orleans at that time were segregated. This meant that black students went to different schools than white students. Ruby's school was a long walk from her home, but she didn't mind. She liked her teacher Mrs King and enjoyed FS.

Chosen to move schools

One day, Ruby was asked to take a test. She didn't know this at the time, but the test was to find out which black students would be allowed to attend a white school. Ruby was a very bright girl and achieved full marks on the test. After that, her parents were told that she could attend the local white school and begin the integration of black students with white students.

At first, her father didn't want her to go to the white school. He was afraid that it would be dangerous. There were a lot of white people who were angry and didn't want Ruby at their school. Her mother, however, thought it would be a good opportunity.

Ruby would get a better education and would help pave the way for future children. Eventually, her mother convinced her father.

First Day at a White School

Ruby began the first grade at her old school. Some people were still trying to stop her from going to the all-white school. However, on November 14, 1960, Ruby attended her first day at the all-white William Frantz School near her home.

When Ruby arrived at the school there were lots of people protesting and threatening Ruby and her family. Ruby didn't fully understand what was going on, but she knew her parents were scared. Some policemen arrived and they drove Ruby to school and protected her on the way in. The first day of school was strange for Ruby. All she did was sit in the principal's office with her mum.

Was everyone against her?

Although the protesters were mean and violent, not everyone was against integration. Many people of all races supported Ruby and her family. They sent her gifts, notes of encouragement, and even money to help her parents pay their bills. People in her neighbourhood supported the family by helping to babysit and even guarding her car as it drove to school.

After the First Grade

After the first grade, things became more normal for Ruby. She walked to school without the policemen and attended a full classroom that had both white and black students. She missed Mrs. Henry, but eventually got used to her new classroom and teacher. Ruby attended integrated schools all the way through high school.