Ruby Bridges was born on September 8, 1964 in Tylertown, Mississippi, in the midst of the civil rights movement. In her early life, Bridges and her family moved from her hometown to New Orleans in pursuit of a better lifestyle. Her father Abon Bridges, and Mother Lucille Bridges supported Bridges from a very early age through the hardships and difficulties that they faced in the 1960’s. After arriving in New Orleans, it was time for her to attend school. On November 4, 1960, her parents volunteered for her to join the integration of the New Orleans school system. Important to note, that the supreme court handed down the decision from the court case Brown V. Board of Education coincidently the same year Ruby was born. Ultimately it was determined that it was unconstitutional for schools to segregate blacks and white students. It turns out, her parents volunteered for her to join the integration of the New Orleans school system after the National Association for the Advancement of Colored people (NAACP) requested them. In the middle of all the tension and havoc that was occurring at the time, Bridges was set to begin school. In the process of her attending school, she was picked to complete an exam that would decide if she could attend the all-white school. The tests were purposely designed to make it extremely difficult for students of color to pass to prohibit them from attending all-white schools. However, Bridge’s amazing mind would not let anything stop her. Her test results came back after people from the NAACP informed her parents that she was one of only six African American students to pass the test. At the age of six, she became the first African American child to integrate an white elementary school in the south. Her historical moment arrived when her mother Lucille and a U.S Marshall escorted the young Bridges to William Frantz Elementary School to protect her from protestors that tried to deny this moment. It was this moment that cemented Ruby Bridges as one of the more courageous and influential civil rights activists. Ultimately, Bridges will forever be known for her inspiration to the black community during one of the most historic time periods that changed America. Ruby Bridges was honored for her valient act of breaking segregation barrier by being badged as an honorary deputy Marshall. In 2001 she attained her United states Presidential Citizen's Medal. In 2003, she received the Legacy of Caring Award by President Bill Clinton.

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