Ruby Bridges Research Papers

World renowned lady Ruby Bridges was one of the first young women to integrate into an all-white school. Bridges was born on September 8, 1954, in Tylertown, Mississippi (Unknown A 1). Bridges' birth date coincides with the Supreme Court case Brown vs. Board of Education (Unknown A 1). Bridges was born into a low-class family but shortly moved at the age of four to Louisiana for better opportunities. Even though Ruby Bridges was one of the many heroes that integrated an all-white school, what stands out is her bravery at such a young age. Despite all the white students leaving and her facing blatant racism every day, that did not stop her. Bridges quickly became a role model in the civil rights movement. Bridges' parents are Lucille and Abon

The Board of Education of the State of New Orleans refused to obey these laws. The only way she could attend William Frantz Elementary School was through passing the entry exam. As Ruby Bridges walked the streets of Louisiana, thousands of people surrounded her, saying very vulgar and cruel things. Crowds were yelling “2, 4, 6, 8 we don’t want to integrate” (Louis Gates 1:54-2:02). Ruby Bridges was a very young girl, so she thought she was experiencing a Mardi Gras parade. Bridges remembers about 500 kids being walked out of the school building (Louis Gates 2:12 2:20). As young as Bridges was, this rigorous environment never stopped her. She received aid from many individuals like her parents, and a teacher named Barbra Henry, who stood by her side and was the only teacher who offered to help Bridges (Debra Michals 1). Ruby wasn't aware of the toxic environment that she had been experiencing until she saw a black doll in a coffin (Unknown A 1). Many parents with children who attended the William Frantz Elementary School just stayed home hoping she would never return. People didn't think that Ruby Bridges was worthy of a good education and deserved to be treated terribly just because of the way she

Her contributions towards equality with education also spark an interest in bringing more equality. She helped lay the foundation for the future in fighting for equality. Bridges' young age and her being isolated from other white classmates didn't stop her from showing up to school every day because she believed that putting her education first was crucial (Unknown C 2). Ruby Bridges says “I don’t feel like my life is my own, God has planned this for me, God has chosen this life for me” (Louis Gates 2:42-2:48). Bridges used faith as an emotional drive to persevere through hard times. Despite the crowds taunting and saying cruel things, Bridges knew she was never alone, and that God was by her side. Although Bridges was dealing with racism, she was not the only one who suffered. Her family was suffering as well. Bridges' father Abon lost his job because of angry mobs, and grocery stores refused to sell to Lucille Bridge’s mom (Debra Michals 1). Close family weren’t the only ones affected. Bridge’s grandparents were evicted from their farm where they had lived for a quarter-century (Debra Michals 1). Ruby Bridges' bravery cost her family, yet they were still supportive. Bridges' dad had some qualms about attending an all-white school, but her mother wanted her to receive a good education. Her dad later decided it would be best to send her