On the morning of November 14, 1960, 6-year-old Ruby Bridges, wearing pigtails, bobby socks and black Mary Jane shoes ascended the steps of her new school, becoming the first African American to attend the formerly whites-only William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans. Surrounded by three U.S. Marshals protecting her from a racially charged crowd throwing items and hurling threats, young Bridges’ courage catapulted conversations about equality and safety for African Americans that not only promoted change during the Civil Rights Movement, but continues to inspire more than 60 years later.
“For me as a child, home was not a safe space, school was my safe place, so Ruby’s story of lacking that foundational safe space emotionally moved me,” said creative and safety advocate Sweeetz LaBamba, who decided to join in on the nationwide Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day initiative on Nov. 14.
A movement led by the The Ruby Bridges Foundation, the walk is inspired by the experiences of the organization’s founder, CEO and namesake (now Ruby Bridges Hall) 64 years ago, and emphasizes student safety when traveling to and from school.
Founder of Seasoned Settlers, LaBamba’s mission is to provide District youth safe school passage and create programs that promote community integration, respite and cultural healing.
Through a $1000 grant from Safe Routes Partnership, LaBamba organized a two-day event honoring Bridges Hall’s legacy, including the Ruby Bridges Walk, Nov. 13-14, in Washington, D.C. The event will serve over 1000 youth and include an educational presentation about Ruby Bridges at two District of Columbia Public Schools: Anne Beers Elementary in Southeast, D.C. and Leckie Elementary in Southwest.
Kori Johnson, program and engagement manager for Safe Routes Partnership, emphasized why Bridges Hall’s historic actions resonate so deeply with people all over the nation.
“There are a lot of people at this time who are identifying issues in the world and their own community that they want to change. Many feel overwhelmed and think that changemaking is out of their reach,” said Johnson. “This Ruby Bridges Walk highlights that any of us can make a tangible difference no matter our age or economic station in life.”
The District’s Two Days of Programming
With two days of educational, interactive activities, LaBamba is hoping to provide programming that inspires youth to become changemakers.
The educational workshops at Anne Beers and Leckie will be facilitated by children’s librarians from Francis Gregory Neighborhood Library in Southeast and William O. Lockridge/Bellevue Neighborhood Library in Southwest. After the workshop, youth and adult attendees will create banners, posters and artwork which will be displayed during the quarter-mile walk on the second day of the event.
Noah Clark, 11, expressed excitement about participating in the event, considering its namesake’s legacy.
“She was the first Black girl to go to a White school,” he said.
Monique Diop, 52, a former ANC commissioner, said that Bridges’ work “encourages everyone to stand up for what is right and teaches that we all have every right to do so even as a young person.”
Diop emphasized another lesson all people can learn from the bravery of the then 6-year-old in 1960.
“More importantly, it demonstrates that big changes can start with seemingly small acts,” she said.
LaBamba explained that through her work to organize the walk, she has become deeply connected to Bridges’ story.
“Although I am pouring into the youth through this event, this project has inspired me to be courageous in the face of adversity and not let others’ view of you determine your destiny. Being a child going through integration, Ruby did not know everything, but she knew what she was doing was important,” she told The Informer.
The celebration’s organizer and safety advocate summarized the lesson she takes from Bridges Hall’s contributions.
“Do it scared,” she declared, before offering a call to action. “If you want safe communities or lasting change, it is within your power at any age or stage in your life to implement it.”
