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How Did Ruby Bridges Contribute To The Civil Rights Movement

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While many who contributed to the Civil Rights Movement remain nameless, some left their name in American History. The youngest involved in the Civil Rights Movement and very notable was Ruby Bridges. Bridges’ perseverance during a time of adversity helped pave the path to overcoming educational equalities, discrimination, racism, prejudice, and stereotyping. "She had a ribbon in her hair, a peanut butter sandwich in her lunchbox, and the U.S. Constitution at her back" (Washington Post Finn). Ruby Bridges was one of the first African-American students to attend an all-white school after the Brown vs. Board of Education court case ruled unanimously that segregation in public schools would be unconstitutional. At the time of the Civil Rights Movement, society thought very differently of African-American people. Not only was Ruby a six-year-old brave African-American girl living in New Orleans but she was breaking down the walls of segregation. Bridges taught society that having courage and perseverance has no age barrier or size. In 1959, “When Ruby was in kindergarten, she was one of many African-American students in New Orleans who were chosen to take a test determining whether or not she could attend Angela 2 …show more content…

The test was designed to be extremely strenuous so students would not be able to pass. The plan was if all the African-American children did not pass the test, New Orleans schools would continue to segregate whites and blacks from each other. She lived closer to the all-white school but attended an all-black segregated school several miles away. Ruby’s father, Abon, was against her taking the test, thinking that if she passed and was allowed to go to the all-white school, there would be extreme controversy. Her mother, Lucille however, stressed the problem, knowing that Ruby would get a better education at an all-white school. Her mother was eventually able to persuade her father to allow her to take the

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Ruby's father was hesitant to send his daughter to the all white William Frantz Elementary School, as he was aware of the uproar that this could cause. Rubys mother on the other hand was all for the opportunity as she believed that Ruby could receive a better education here. After a lot of thought and consideration the Bridges agreed to have their daughter enrolled. Of the six students that passed, Bridges was the only student who agreed to the enrollment, and on the 14th of November, 1960, after the states many attempts to delay the school transfer; Bridges became not only the first child of color to go to William Frantz Elementary School but also the first child of color to attend an all-white elementary school in the South. The federal district court judge was aware of the chaos that was yet to come, so it was sought that the US government provided federal marshals to accompany the child to school everyday for the sake of her safety.

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Ruby Bridges Mississippi is home to many African Americans that played an important role in the desegregation factor. Ruby Bridges was one of these famous African Americans that helped to desegregate the public school system in New Orleans. Ruby Bridges, a small girl from Tylertown, Mississippi, opened the doors for many black children so that they would be provided with a good education no matter what their race may be. Ruby Nell Bridges, a young African American girl, is from the small town of Tylertown, Mississippi. Ruby Bridges was born on September 8, 1954 .Ruby was born the same year as the Supreme Court passed the Brown v. Board of Education case.

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In 1951, an increasing number of African-American parents attempted to enroll their children in public schools and were turned away. In once case, a mother of African American children attempted

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She even volunteered at the school later in her life. She started the Ruby Bridges foundation in that school to make the school for both African-Americans and white people, not just white people. Ruby Bridges changed history by being the first African-American to go to an all white school. Ruby Bridges made a positive impact on society.

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