Posted on Friday, October 15, 2004
Ruby Bridges, the first African American child to desegregate a New OrleansÌýelementary school in 1960, will tell her storyÌýFriday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. in ¾¨Ó㴫ý's Orr Auditorium.
ÌýBridges was a pioneer in school integration at the age of six, when she was selected to spend her first-grade year in what had previously been an all-white elementary school.
Ìý"That first morning I remember mom saying as I got dressed in my new outfit, 'Now, I want you to behave yourself today, Ruby, and don't be afraid.Ìý There might be a lot of people outside this new school, but I'll be with you.Ìý That conversation was the full extent of preparing me for what was to come," Bridges said.
ÌýBridges and her teacher attended this school every day alone for an entire year.Ìý Both her father and grandparents lost their jobs because of the problems associated with her going to this school.Ìý
Ìý"It took me a while to realize just how important that sacrifice was that my parents made," Bridges said, who now focuses on education, children, and family.Ìý "The biggest problem today, I think, is that parents are not as involved with their children's education as they used to be."
ÌýAll proceeds from Bridges book, "The Education of Ruby Nell," go to the Ruby Bridges Foundation, which provides a unique education program that brings diverse populations together to develop relationship-building skills, strategies to collaborative work for social change, and a robust appreciation of differences all carefully aligned with state standards and classroom curriculum.
ÌýThe event is sponsored by the ¾¨Ó㴫ý Student Government Association, the Diversity Symposium, the First Year Program, The Education Department, and the office of Diversity Services.
ÌýThe event is free and open to the public, and will be followed by a book signing.Ìý Books will be available for purchase.
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ÌýFor more information, contact Dr. Amy Camardese, assistant professor of education and coordinator of this event, at (724) 946-7183 or e-mail camardah@westminster.edu.
