Students Walk to Honor Ruby Bridges

Sixty years ago, Ruby Bridges, just 6 years old, was the first Black child to attend an all-white school in New Orleans. She walked to school accompanied by her mother and four armed federal marshals.

Now hundreds of thousands of children across the country walk on Nov. 14, Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, to honor Bridges’ courage and resilience.

“This is an important part of history, and it’s important for us to remember it as a community,” said Katy Smith, a PTA volunteer at Meadow Elementary School in Baldwin, N.Y., after the school’s first Ruby Bridges walk. Smith’s daughter, Londyn, who is in kindergarten, was excited about the event, Smith added. “I read a book (about Ruby Bridges) to her, and I explained segregation to her. She was very happy to walk and wore purple.”

Purple is reportedly Bridges’ favorite color.

“This is to support diversity and cultural awareness, and it brings the school community together,” said Helen Suh Singson, vice president of programs for the PTA. “It’s a significant day in history. We wanted children to know about it.”

The impetus for Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day came in 2018 from fifth graders in the AAA Safety Patrol at Martin Elementary School in San Francisco. They were moved by Ruby Bridges’ story and approached the California state legislature, which passed a bill in 2021 proclaiming Nov. 14 Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day.

AAA partnered with the Ruby Bridges Foundation in 2022, and the event’s popularity continues to grow. More than 700,000 people from across the U.S. and in three international locations participated in 2024.

At Meadow School, about 75 students, parents, teachers and community members came together and walked about four blocks to the school, many dressed in purple and waving banners.

“Through the Ruby Bridges Walk, we are promoting unity and diversity,” said PTA Vice President for Health and Safety Susan Geevarghese. “Our theme this year is ‘Stronger Together: Building Community One Connection at a Time.’ Coming together for this walk is a powerful example for the world that we must love our neighbor and promote kindness.”

After the walk, AAA Northeast Outreach Specialist Aisha Darby spoke to the school’s fourth and fifth graders. She showed a video about Bridges’ life and explained that views about other races when Bridges was little were much different than today. She told them to look around the room at all the students from different cultures.

“Just imagine if you couldn’t sit with your friends because you are different,” Darby said.

Implicit in lessons about Bridges was the idea that everyone can have an impact.

“Ruby Bridges wants you to think about that, as young as you are, you can make a difference,” Darby said. “Can you be an agent for change?”

Meadow Principal Yolanda Martin also said that it is critical message. “It’s important to connect students to the value of history and realize how one student can make a difference,” Martin said. “We have a very diverse community, and this promotes our own values and shows that children have a voice. And this promotes advocacy — Ruby Bridges defied the odds and took a stand. This shows what all people can do.”

Featured image: From left, Kenya Darling-Adepoju, PTA event co-chairperson; Katy Smith, PTA volunteer; Maria Jimisalami, PTA event co-chairperson; Helen Singson, vice president, programs, for Meadow Elementary School, Baldwin, N.Y.

Ellen R. Delisio

Ellen is a content producer for AAA Northeast, covering automotive, finance, public affairs and electric vehicle news. She is a former newspaper reporter with experience writing for print and online publications about everything from higher education to sustainability. She recently returned to her native Long Island after living in Connecticut for 20-plus years, and has never met a beach she didn’t like.