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Get out and take a walk Wednesday to join Boulder County in celebrating Ruby Bridges

This year marks the 60th anniversary of Bridges becoming the first African American child to desegregate the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana in 1960, an act that is honored each year on Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day.
Julie Baxter
Julie Baxter
unnamed (15) (1)
On Nov. 14, 1960, federal marshals escorted 6-year-old Ruby Bridges to her first day of first grade as the first Black student to attend the previously all-white William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Courtesy photo)

Boulder County is inviting residents to join it in celebrating Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day by taking a walk on Wednesday.

Boulder County’s Youth Transportation Program is sponsoring the event in partnership with San Mateo County, California, students who founded the day in 2018 after learning about Bridges’ bravery 60 years ago at age 6, according to a news release. This year marks the 60th anniversary of Bridges becoming the first African American child to desegregate the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana in 1960. 

Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day is celebrated each year on Nov. 14 but is being observed on Wednesday since that date fell on a Saturday, according to the release.

While some students might be learning from home right now, the county is urging people to take a walk on Wednesday and talk about what is good about walking to school and “what is good about having people of all races in school together.”

Another activity suggested by the county is using chalk to create sidewalk art filed with positive messages. Those who do create art are asked to take a photo and add it to an electronic card for Bridges. Notes and photos can be added to the card through Sunday before it is shared with Bridges on Monday, according to the release. 

“I can’t wait to see what messages our community, especially our youth, provide Ruby in the group card," Cammie Piller Edson, Boulder County’s Youth Transportation Program manager, stated in the release. "I'm excited to hear about our local youth reacting to learning how big of an impact Ruby’s bravery had on our country 60 years ago. Young people do amazing things all of the time and do not get enough credit for their impact."

Resources to learn more about Bridges shared by the county include a video on Ruby Bridges Walk To School Day and another titled Ruby Bridges & Bravery. More free resources for teachers and families are available on the Ruby Bridges Walk To School Day website.

Piller Edson also encouraged youth and their families to reach out if they have ideas for or want to get involved in local transportation-related efforts. “We would love to connect with you to impact our community for the better. Stay safe and enjoy learning more about the impact Ruby Bridges gave all future generations," she stated.

Contact Piller Edson at [email protected].