Observation by Dr. Michael Ritterbrown, Vice President, Instructional Services
(February 2016)

My personal African American hero is Ruby Bridges. In 1960, at the age of six, Ruby Bridges was the first African American child to attend the all white William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her parents enrolled her following a court order mandating the integration of New Orleans schools.

On the first day of her scheduled attendance, a mob gathered in front of the school. As the car carrying Ruby, her mother, and two federal marshals pulled up in front of the school, the mob shouted and threw objects. Ruby was escorted into the school by four more federal marshals. In those first days, all of the white students’ parents refused to let them attend school, and all but one teacher refused to show up for work. Mrs. Barbara Henry was the only teacher who reported for duty. While eventually students returned to school, their parents continued to refuse to let them share a classroom with Ruby. For a full year, Mrs. Henry taught class with Ruby as her only student.

In the days and months that followed, white adults continued to harass and threaten Ruby. One threatened to poison her; another displayed an African American doll in a coffin. The marshals continued to escort Ruby to and from school, and according to one, Charles Burkes, “She showed a lot of courage. She never cried. She didn’t whimper. She just marched along like a little soldier, and we were all very proud of her.”

I admire Ruby Bridges for her courage and resolve, rare qualities in anyone, much less a child. I feel personally indebted to her. As an educator and community college administrator, I am committed to ensuring educational access and to upholding the idea that every student deserves an opportunity to pursue his or her educational goals. While much has changed since 1960, inequality and inequity are still prevalent in education. Ruby Bridges’ determination and heroism serves as a reminder of our obligation to provide equal opportunity and access.