Recognizing Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day

Nov. 14 is Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, a student-led movement started by AAA School Safety Patrollers in 2018. 

The annual walk and day of dialogue honors Ruby Bridges, who became a civil rights icon on her first day of school, Nov. 14, 1960. As a first grader, she was one of the first Black children to integrate an all-white school in Louisiana. Images of her brave and historic walk to school, guarded by federal marshals, and a famous illustration by Norman Rockwell are widely recognized and have become symbolic of the civil rights movement.

More than 60 years later, Ruby’s vision has inspired the next generation to end racism and all forms of bullying, one step at a time.

The idea for Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day stemmed from fifth graders at Martin Elementary School in San Francisco, who sparked the national movement. In 2022, AAA and the Ruby Bridges Foundation partnered to support Walk to School Day with more than 343,000 students across the country participating.

Participation is free. Schools can register and use the resources, including a lesson plan, available at AAA.com/RubyBridges.

We also encourage people to wear purple that day in support of the Ruby Bridges Foundation.