Civil Rights Icon Ruby Bridges To Speak At The University Of Chicago’s 35th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Event
Source: Vivien Killilea / Getty
At the age of 6, Ruby Bridges opened up the doors for millions of Black children around the world when she fearlessly walked into William Frantz Elementary School in 1960. She was the first Black student to integrate the New Orleans public school, walking past outraged white parents and students with her head held high, turning a new page of equality for Black Americans.
On Jan. 29, Bridges, now 70, will share her powerful story in a groundbreaking fireside chat at the University of Chicago, marking the 35th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Celebration, according to a press release published Jan. 16. The free event will begin at 6 p.m. at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel with opening remarks made courtesy of President Paul Alivisatos and performances from Uniting Voices Chicago to follow.
According to Women’s History, in search of better job opportunities and a higher quality of education for their children, Bridges’ family moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. Bridges, born in 1954—the same year the U.S. Supreme Court issued its landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision—was part of a generation that would witness the slow and painful process of desegregating public schools. By 1960, resistance to the ruling in New Orleans led to a federal judge’s order to integrate schools. On Nov. 14, 1960, Bridges became the first and only Black student to attend William Frantz Elementary School. This opportunity came about thanks to the efforts of the NAACP, which fought to dismantle the legal barriers to public school integration.
However, the school community’s response was filled with hostility. In protest, white parents withdrew their children, and teachers refused to teach. During an interview with Stephen Colbert in January 2024, Bridges revealed that for the entire year, she was the sole student in her class. Despite facing death threats and relentless harassment, she showed immense courage, never missing a single day of school.
A lifelong commitment to change.
At 70, Bridges continues to be a powerful advocate for educational equality through the Ruby Bridges Foundation, which she founded to honor her lifelong commitment to the causes of civil rights and social justice. The foundation’s mission is clear: to provide programs and resources that help guide and empower younger generations toward a more peaceful, inclusive, and harmonious future. It serves as a testament to her ongoing belief that the struggle for equality in education is far from over and that the fight to create fair and just opportunities for all students remains critical.
The Ruby Bridges Foundation offers a variety of initiatives aimed at encouraging children, particularly those from marginalized communities, to embrace education as a means of social change. Through mentorship programs, educational outreach, and resources for teachers, the foundation helps young people better understand their rights, history, and the importance of empathy and collaboration in a diverse world. In addition to her work with the foundation, Bridges remains a frequent public speaker and an advocate for racial equality in education.
Each year, the Ruby Bridges Foundation hosts the annual Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day. In 2024, nearly 700,000 young people across the nation participated, coming together to share stories of inspiration and discuss how they, too, can make a meaningful impact. United in purpose, they took a stand to promote courage, kindness, and positive change in their communities.
Moved by Bridges’ story and life-long commitment to activism, leadership, and equality, University of Chicago Vice Provost Waldo E. Johnson Jr. said in a statement that he was honored to welcome the changemaker to the University of Chicago campus for this year’s MLK celebration.
“Her lifelong pursuit of ensuring equal access to educational opportunity began before she recognized the lasting impact of her actions, and her story continues to inspire each new generation,” Johnson Jr. added.
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