What

Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day

When

11/14/2022

History of Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day

 On November 14, 1960, at the tender age of six,Ruby Bridges became one of the first African American students to integrateinto an elementary school in the South. Her simple but courageous act ofshowing up for school each day played an important part in the civil rightsmovement.

In May 2018, a group of fifth graders from Martin Elementary School in SouthSan Francisco, California, learned about Ruby and asked their school board topass a resolution making November 14 Ruby Bridges Day. The San Mateo CountyOffice of Education Safe Routes to School team met with the students aboutmaking it a walk to school day and invited them to present this proposal to theSan Mateo County Board of Education. 

A resolution was passed endorsing November 14 as Ruby Bridges Walk to SchoolDay in San Mateo County. The Safe Routes to School team invited other schoolsto join the Martin students in honoring Ruby’s courage by celebrating this walkto school day. Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day has grown exponentially sincethe first walk was held in 2018.