Hi! My name is Ruby Bridges. I was born in Tylertown, Mississippi on September 8, 1954.

I moved to New Orleans, Louisana when I was two years old because my parents wanted better work opportunities.

In 1959, I attended kindergarten at a segregated New Orleans school.

Segregation means separation based on racial groups. Since I was African American, I went to an all-black school.

One year later, a federal court ordered Louisana to desegregate schools.

The school district created entrance exams for African American students to see whether they could keep up academically at an all-white school.

I passed the exam along with a few other children. The other students were sent to the all-white elementary school near their homes.

I was sent all alone to the all-white William Frantz Elementary School. This school was located near my home. My parents were afraid to send me to this school.