Following in Her Footsteps 

Denny International Walks to School in Honor of Ruby Bridges   

A group of students from Denny International Middle School walked to school together on Nov. 14 to celebrate a civil rights pioneer.  

In 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Brown v. the Board of Education ended racial segregation in public schools. However, southern states continued to resist. Ruby, along with two other Black students, were going to attend Frantz Elementary. A few days before the start of school, the others decided to stay in their home school.  

On Nov. 14, 1960, at only six years old, Ruby braved the walk on her own. It was the first day her New Orleans school was desegregated. Ruby’s walk, as well as many others across the country, was a spark for racial justice.  

Now 68, Bridges continues to speak about the angry voices she endured as she entered school and the backlash her family received. She also shares about the people who stood up for her, including neighbors and Barbara Henry, her 1st grade teacher, who created a haven within the school for Ruby.  

Denny students learned about Ruby’s story leading up to Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day and practiced formulating the words to stand up to injustice. The walk also built solidarity and community around walking to school – which is a way to stand up for environmental justice. About 40 percent of Denny International students walk or bike to school.  

If you are interested in hosting a Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day next year at your school, contact the district’s Safe Routes to School Program Coordinator Sara Colling at skcolling@seattleschools.org or call 206-532-4453 for guidance and support.  

Visit the district’s webpage for more information and resources about walking, biking, and rolling to school.