Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day
Calendar Date:
On Friday, November 14, 2025, Oregon SRTS celebrates Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day (RBWSD).
RBWSD is the perfect opportunity to teach children about the civil rights movement and make connections to today’s collective efforts for change. RBWSD gives children the opportunity to celebrate Ruby’s courage by walking to school.
SMART encourages schools to participate on the scheduled day or any other day in November. SMART can provide resources to help your school plan events and order free incentives.
Contact your school or SMART for more information. We often need volunteers and parent champions!
Who is Ruby Bridges?
In 1945 the US Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Brown v. the Board of Education ended racial segregation in public schools. However, southern states continued to resist. Ruby spent kindergarten in a segregated classroom. In 1960 a federal court ordered Louisiana schools to desegregate. The school district created an entrance exam to see if African American students could handle being in an all-white school. Ruby and five other students passed the exam. The six students were to be sent to two different all-white schools. The school district delayed their start and Ruby’s first day of school was November 14, 1960. A few days before the start of school, the two African American students who were going to attend with Ruby, decided to stay in their home school. Ruby braved Frantz Elementary School on her own.
To learn more about Ruby Bridges, check out books about her at your Wilsonville Public Library.
"I Am Ruby Bridges" - Story Walk
I Am Ruby Bridges is a children's book where civil rights activist Ruby Bridges tells the story of her experience desegregating William Frantz Elementary School in 1960 through the eyes of her six-year-old self. The story is told from the perspective of a six-year-old Ruby, which helps young readers connect with her feelings and understand the events in a more accessible way. The book vividly depicts the challenges she faced.
Along Coffee Creek Trail you can follow the pages of Ruby’s inspiring story as you stroll outdoors, learning about her brave journey to school and the power of standing up for what’s right.
This story walk will be on display until Spring 2026
2025 Participating Schools - list coming soon
- Wilsonville High School
- Meridian Creek Middle School
- Boeckman Creek Primary School
If you want to celebrate at your school reach out to Safe Routes to School Coordinator Wyle O'Neill at woneill@ridesmart.com.
