On November 14, 1960, a 6-year-old Ruby Bridges was surrounded by her family and community in New Orleans, unaware of the impactful step she was about to take.

Amid the Civil Rights Movement and in the aftermath of the Brown v. Board of Education ruling, Bridges was among over 100 students who volunteered to be the first Black children to enroll in white schools.

However, it was on this day that Bridges would make a name for herself by walking into the school almost entirely alone.

She is famously remembered for two powerful images: one showing her being escorted by U.S. Marshals as she left school, and another depicting her and her mother being guided through a crowd of protesting adults by the Marshals. Bridges recalled that she did not grasp that the crowd was there to protest her presence.

“What truly kept me safe was my childhood innocence,” Bridges stated during an event Thursday. “Even though everyone saw the situation, my 6-year-old brain didn’t tell me to be frightened. To me, a crowd was just a normal sight.”

“So, I remember when the car door opened, and they hurried us into the building. Once I was inside, my first thought was that I was heading to college. I felt so intelligent that everyone was obviously there to see a 6-year-old go to college.”

Bridges shared her reflections during a special event for over 1,000 students in Topeka at Washburn University, marking both the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education and the 64th anniversary of her first day at school.

“I’m thrilled that so many young people from across Kansas had the chance to listen to her share such a moving story,” said Beryl New, a panelist and newly elected member of the Kansas State Board of Education.

New highlighted that Bridges inspired the audience to take action during her speech.

“When we leave White Concert Hall today, we will know what steps we need to take,” New remarked.

What does Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day signify?

During her conversation, Governor Laura Kelly officially declared Thursday as Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day in Kansas. This day celebrates the courageous walk Bridges took while desegregating her New Orleans school, encouraging children nationwide to walk together in unity.

This marks the second year that Kansas schools have acknowledged this national initiative to honor desegregation. National Education Association President Becky Pringle also visited three schools in Kansas on Thursday: Williams Science and Arts Magnet School and Pauline Central Primary School in Topeka, as well as Eugene Ware Elementary School in Kansas City.

“Becky has frequently visited Kansas as a supporter of our educators. Today, we’re excited to have her join us in celebrating the rich culture, heritage, and history that continue to inform our struggle for equality in public schools today,” said Sherri Schwanz, president of the Kansas National Education Association, in a statement.

Ruby Bridges discusses history education and racism

Bridges asserted that history education should accurately reflect events as they truly occurred and that books like hers shouldn’t be banned in schools for conveying the truth.

“Why are we still relying on outdated textbooks?” Bridges questioned. “These materials do not represent everyone, and history isn’t being taught as it actually happened. It’s time to remove these books and rewrite them to tell the truth and educate about history.”

“Evil is not inherent in a person,” Bridges stated. “Racism is a learned behavior, and we must stop allowing our children to perpetuate it.”

Bridges mentioned that she remains in contact with her white teacher from when she integrated into a previously segregated school, who genuinely cared about her well-being.

“It’s important to acknowledge that there was a white individual who supported you,” Bridges explained. “We shouldn’t judge everyone based on the actions of a few, and likewise, white individuals shouldn’t judge all of us in the same way.”

Bridges emphasized that the belief in trusting only those who resemble you will ultimately be ineffective.

“Racism is merely a mechanism used to create divisions among us,” she asserted.