In May 2018, fifth-graders from Martin Elementary School in South San Francisco, California, took the initiative to honor civil rights pioneer Ruby Bridges by advocating for a resolution that designates November 14 as Ruby Bridges Day. The Safe Routes to School team at the San Mateo County Office of Education collaborated with the students to propose a “Walk to School Day” and invited them to present their idea to the San Mateo County Board of Education.
The board unanimously passed a resolution endorsing November 14 as Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day in San Mateo County. If November 14 falls on a weekend, the event is celebrated the following Wednesday. The Safe Routes to School team encouraged other schools to join the Martin Elementary students in commemorating Ruby’s bravery through this special day. In its inaugural year, 14 schools participated, with the number growing to 25 in 2019.
This year, Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day was celebrated on Thursday, November 14. Schools were encouraged to organize events on that day or at another time in November. To enhance participation, an incentive program offered special Ruby Bridges stickers and bookmarks, along with additional rewards.
The Ruby Bridges Foundation provides resources for event planning and registration. For more information, visit their website at https://rubybridges.foundation/#walk-to-school-day.
Ruby Bridges’ story is a significant chapter in American history. In 1945, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. Despite this, many southern states resisted desegregation. Ruby experienced her first year of school in a segregated classroom. In 1960, a federal court mandated the desegregation of Louisiana schools, leading to an entrance exam for African American students wishing to attend all-white schools. Ruby and five other students passed the exam, but when the start date was postponed, only Ruby made the brave decision to attend Frantz Elementary School alone on November 14, 1960, marking a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement.
