More than 150 Los Altos Hills students and parents marched to Gardner Bullis Elementary on Friday to celebrate and remember civil rights icon Ruby Bridges.
Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day is a state-recognized event honoring Ruby Bridges, the first African American child to desegregate her elementary school on Nov. 14, 1960. Bridges integrated William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans and became a national icon of the Civil Rights Movement.
Melissa French, parent of a third grader and a fourth grader at the school, has been the chief organizer for the event and said Ruby Bridges’ bravery helped pave the way for civil rights action in the American South.
“I think we are building strong community members,” she said. “In addition to being strong learners, they’re learning to be strong citizens.”
Students began at the city hall parking lot and walked the short distance on Fremont Road past the Purissima Hills Water District building to the school campus. Organizers asked students to wear purple in accordance with the holiday theme, and the walk was lined with posters providing information about Ruby Bridges’ life.
“We walk to follow the footsteps of people who change the world for the better,” said Zivah, a sixth grader.
Chloe, a third grader, added, “She helped make the world a better place. She fought for rights and equality.”
The event concluded back at the school campus, where parents and students attended an assembly about Ruby Bridges and her life.
“We are lucky to be in a school that is accepting of each other’s differences,” Gardner Bulis Principal Katherine Schermerhorn said during the assembly. “We celebrate this day so that we can inspire the next generation of leaders to end racism and bullying together.”
The students said the event helped inspire them to do things that changed the world.
“Ruby Bridges helped people go to the same school even though she was afraid. She was brave,” said Audrey, a second-grade student.
Lucas, a third-grade student, added, “Ruby Bridges helped people believe that working together and being kind is important, regardless of skin color.”
