Ruby Bridges’ legacy inspires advocacy and change

On the morning of November 14, 1960, 6-year-old Ruby Bridges, wearing pigtails, bobby socks and black Mary Jane shoes, climbed the steps to her new school, becoming the first African-American to attend the previously segregated William Frantz Elementary white. School in New Orleans. Surrounded by three U.S. marshals who protected her from a racially charged crowd throwing objects and hurling threats, young Bridges’ hurled toward conversations about equality and safety for African Americans that not only spurred change during the civil rights movement, but continue to inspire more than 60 year. later.

“For me as a child, home was not a safe place, school was my safe place, so Ruby’s story of lacking that basic safe space moved me emotionally,” said creative and safety advocate Sweeetz LaBamba, who decided to participate in the nationwide Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day initiative on 14 November.

A movement led by Ruby Bridges Foundationis inspired by the experiences of the organization’s founder, CEO and namesake (now Ruby Bridges Hall) 64 years ago, and emphasizes the safety of students as they travel to and from school.

Founder of Seasoned settlersLaBamba’s mission is to provide safe schooling for the district’s youth and create programs that promote community integration, respite and cultural healing.

Through a subsidy of DKK 1000 from Safe Routes PartnershipLaBamba organized a two-day event honoring Bridges Hall’s legacy, including the Ruby Bridges Walk, 13-14 November in Washington, DC. 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, DC and Leckie Elementary in Southwest.

Kori Johnson, program and engagement manager for the Safe Routes Partnership, emphasized why Bridges Hall’s historic actions resonate so deeply with people across the nation.

“There are many people at this time who identify problems in the world and their own society that they want to change. Many feel overwhelmed and believe that change processes are beyond their reach,” said Johnson. “This Ruby Bridges Walk highlights that each of us can make a tangible difference, regardless of our age or financial situation in life.”

The district’s two days of programming

With two days of educational, interactive activities, LaBamba hopes to provide programming that inspires youth to become change makers.

The educational workshops at Anne Beers and Leckie will be facilitated by children’s librarians from the Francis Gregory Neighborhood Library in the Southeast and the William O. Lockridge/Bellevue Neighborhood Library in the Southwest. Following the workshop, youth and adult participants will create banners, posters and artwork that 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 given 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 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 that all people can learn from the bravery of the then 6-year-old in 1960.

“More importantly, it shows that big changes can start with seemingly small actions,” she said.

LaBamba explained that through her work organizing the walk, she has become deeply connected to Bridges’ story.

“Though I pour into the youth through this event, this project has inspired me to be brave in the face of adversity and not let others’ views of you determine your destiny. When Ruby was a child going through integration, she didn’t know everything, but she knew what she was doing was important,” she told The Informer.

The celebration’s organizer and safety advocate summed up the lesson she takes from Bridges Hall’s contribution.

“Make 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.”