Students in Bakersfield took part in the city’s first Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day. Volunteers from the Blue Zones Project guided the event at Williams Elementary School. Students walked along four planned routes. The walk was held to honor Ruby Bridges, the first Black child to attend an all-white elementary school in the South in 1960. Her entry into William Frantz Elementary in New Orleans, escorted by federal marshals, is recognized as a significant event in the civil rights movement.
After the walk, students attended an assembly about the importance of Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day. The event is usually observed nationally on November 14. This year, Bakersfield held its first observance. Williams Elementary postponed the event to December 5 due to weather concerns, choosing to prioritize student safety.
Assistant Principal Kimberly Cruz said the event honors Ruby Bridges’ legacy and supports the school’s focus on safety, kindness, and unity. She told students that small acts of courage can lead to positive change…