Who was Ruby Bridges?

Ruby Bridges is known for the first African American child to attend an all-white Elementary school in the South. She attended William Frantz Elementary school in Louisiana. During this time African Americans were not allowed to go to white schools. Ruby Bridges became a big hero in history.

Ruby was born in Mississippi in 1954. Black and white children went to seprerate schools in Mississippi. This was called segregation.

Ruby's parents did not believe in segregation so they moved to New Orleans, Louisiana and took their case to court where a judge ruled that Ruby could attend an all white school.

This school was named William Frantz Public School.

To be able to attend this school Ruby had to take a test to measure whether or not she could attend the school. Ruby was one of the only six kids in New Orleans who passed the test.

Many people were very angry with the judge's decision to let Ruby attend an all white school. Some white families wouldn't let their kids to school. Some kids waved signs and yelled mean things at Ruby when she walked into the school. She had to be taken into the school by federal agents, which are police officers.

All the kids were not very nice to her and she had to stay in the principle's office the first day of school. The students and other teachers did not want her in the classroom with them. Everyone neglected Ruby, besides one person.

Barbara Henry, Ruby's teacher, was the only person willing to teach a black student. Mrs. Henry taught Ruby in an empty classroom and was very kind to her. Ruby learned how to write and read. For one whole year Ruby was taught by Mrs. Henry alone in a classroom without any other classmates.