Barack Obama

A sweet beautiful child. At six she showed more dignity and grace than so many that surround us.

She walked with her head held high. Did she understand what was happening at that time? No, not completely. Yet every child is shaped by what surrounds them. They feel the pain, they feel hate, they understand rejection. They understand. That will shape their future.

Ruby Bridges made a choice, she chose to overcome the hate.

She is now chair of the Ruby Bridges Foundation, which she formed in 1999 to promote "the values of tolerance, respect, and appreciation of all differences". Describing the mission of the group, she says, "racism is a grown-up disease and we must stop using our children to spread it."[

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruby_Bridges

From the Ruby Bridges Foundation.

Vision
A Child of Courage, a Woman of Determination


On November 14, 1960, surrounded by armed US marshals, six-year-old Ruby Bridges integrated William Frantz Elementary in New Orleans. Many already know Ruby and her story. Norman Rockwell’s painting, “The Problem We All Live With” remains a quintessential image of the Civil Rights Movement. John Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley: In Search of America also includes a description of Ruby walking past angry mobs to enter school. Robert Coles penned a 1995 book, The Story of Ruby Bridges, and soon after Walt Disney Home Entertainment produced a television movie based on her life. The movie received the honor of being screened in the White House, and on January 8, 2001 President Bill Clinton presented Ruby Bridges Hall with the Presidential Citizens Medal. In 1999, Ruby published her own award-winning memoir, Through My Eyes.

In addition, a public school in Alameda, California honored Ruby by naming Ruby Bridges Elementary School after her. The school opened on October 27, 2006.


Ruby's likeness is part of the "Remember Them" monument
One of the world’s largest children’s museums, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, has focused on the importance of Ruby Bridge’s story and created a permanent exhibition entitled “The Power of Children,” which has become an icon of the museum. The exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the lives of three children who faced profound trials and emerged as heroes of the 20th century—Ruby Bridges, Anne Frank, and Ryan White. All three of these children’s stories exemplify Ruby’s belief that every individual can make a difference.



Thank you freshwest. I thank you for what you said.