How Can One Person Change The World?

A true leader

Ruby Nell Bridges was born on September 8, 1954, in Tylertown, Mississippi. She was the oldest of eight children. Her parents were Abon and Lucille Bridges. Ruby was a person with courage, leadership, and passion. She taught people many things. In this essay, I will tell you some ways that she touched the hearts of many people.

When Ruby was four years old, her family moved to New Orleans so her parents could find better jobs. When Ruby was in kindergarten, a federal court ruled that New Orleans schools needed to allow both black and white students to attend. The school district chose several African-American children to start the next school year at all-white schools. Ruby was chosen to attend the William Frantz Elementary School. Ruby was the only African-American child attending William Frantz School.

Ruby's first day at William Frantz Elementary school was November 14, 1960. she was taken to and from school by four federal marshals. When they arrived at school a spite mob of white racists screamed at her as she approached the door of the William Frantz Elementary Schoolin New Orleans, Louisiana. Ruby reacted with spirit and grace, becoming a national symbol of the civil rights movement.

Ruby was the only child in first grade class for most of the year. Barbara Henry was her teacher. They became close friends as they worked together. White parents started taking their children out of school, because they didn't want them going to school with Ruby. After a while parents slowly became less angry and began allowing their children to return back to William Frantz School. The next year all of the students had returned and the school was fully integregated.

She taught people many things. She taught people that everyone is equal. When Ruby grew up she got married. She then became Ruby Bridges-Hall. She had four sons. In 1993, her brother was murdered. Then she took care of his four daughters going along with her four children.

In 1994, Ruby established the Ruby Bridges Educational Foundation, to assist the needy students and improve school facilties. In 1996, Ruby Bridges participated in the olympics torch relay, carrying the torch through New Orleans.

In conclusion, Ruby taught people many things. She was a leader with courage and passion. She helped teach the world that God made everyone equal. And everyone is special. Nobody's perfect. That is the story of Ruby Bridges.

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