Bridges, Ruby (c. 1954–)
Bridges, Ruby (c. 1954–)
African-American civil-rights activist. Name variations: Ruby Bridges Hall. Born Ruby Bridges in Tylerton, Mississippi, c. 1954; dau. of Abon (gas station attendant) and Lucile Bridges; m. Malcolm Hall (building contractor); children: 4 sons.
One of 4 black children chosen to integrate the New Orleans public-school system, was accompanied by US federal marshals to the William Frantz Elementary School for her 1st day of 1st grade (Nov 1960); her ordeal was documented by Norman Rockwell in his famous painting, The Problem We All Live With; established the Ruby Bridges Educational Foundation (1994) to encourage parental involvement in schools.
See also (juvenile) Robert Coles, The Story of Ruby Bridges (1995); tv movie, "Ruby Bridges" (1998); and Women in World History.