On November 14, students at Thomas Fitzwater Elementary gathered to participate in the Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, a nationwide event that honors Ruby Bridges, the civil rights icon who, at the age of six, became the first African-American child to attend a previously all-white school in New Orleans, Louisiana. Ruby’s brave steps toward equality on November 14, 1960, marked a pivotal moment in American history.
The Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day initiative was introduced at Thomas Fitzwater in 2022, following a research project led by then-third grader Penny McGrath. Penny’s project, part of the school’s Talking Art Gallery, asked students to research a famous African American who made a difference in our world in honor of Black History Month. Since Penny moved on to middle school, her younger brother, Julian, and his third-grade peers have continued the tradition, forming the Ruby Bridges Committee to carry on the walk each year.
“As teachers, we want to give our students a platform to lead and encourage them to be self-directed learners. This is a great example of all that we strive for,” said Penny’s third grade teacher, Shelby Crawford.
As Penny reflects on how the walk started, she said, “Ruby Bridges is so inspirational. I love her story. I’m really proud of what I started at my school because everyone should know her story and understand why she was so brave. People tried to hurt her and stop her, but she never gave up. She’s still helping the world today, and that’s incredible.”
This year, students participated in lessons to learn about Ruby’s life and the significance of the walk. They also wore purple, Ruby’s favorite color, as a symbol of unity and solidarity.
“Leading this effort reflects our core values at Thomas Fitzwater Elementary,” said Principal Hannah Kim. “We want to celebrate courage and bravery, promote anti-racism and anti-bullying, and foster kindness and inclusion for all learners.”
