A community of students from Patrick M. Villano School walked to remember a brave six-year-old girl who helped end segregation in America.
“I chose to do the Ruby Bridges walk because I knew it would be something to remember,” Lily Polvere said. The sixth grader was one of dozens of students who walked from the Emerson Public Library to school on November 14 in honor of Ruby Bridges.
“Six year old Ruby Bridges stepped into the history books in 1960 when she integrated William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans becoming a national icon for the civil rights movement. Today her story continues to inspire the next generation of leaders to end racism together one step at a time,” states the Ruby Bridges Foundation online.
Bridges was the first black student to attend the all-white school in Louisana at a time when segregation, or the separation of people because of their color, existed. Bridges suffered from bullies who stood outside the school and shouted means things to her everyday. U.S. Marshalls had to escort her inside the building.
“I thought this was a great opportunity to represent Ruby Bridges from 1960 ,” Nicholas De Carlo said. The fifth grader also participated in the walk.
This was the first time the Walk to School Day happened in Emerson. Sixth grade Science teacher, Elizabeth McClafferty, organized the event with members of the school’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
“This is the first year that Villano and Emerson participated in the Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day and I am so happy and grateful that we did,” McClafferty said. ” I think what I love the most about the event is looking at the participants and seeing people from many cultural backgrounds all taking part in recognizing this important historical moment. It was a celebration of our diversity! The Ruby Bridges Walk can also serve as a reminder that we are all valued and welcomed in our schools.”
According to the Ruby Bridges Foundation online, a group of children from California went to their state lawmakers in 2018 asking for a day to honor Bridges. November 14 is now the official day to honor Bridge’s walks to school, and it’s the day many schools around the country also walk in her memory. Click HERE to see the resolution.
Sixth grader Addison Hogle said it’s important to learn about Bridge’s struggles, “So that we are inclusive to everyone. That skin color doesn’t change who you are.”
