Getting Started: Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day

Graphic of Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day. Text with the title on a lavender purple background.

2024 Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day Mini Grant Application - due September 13, 2024

$500 grants will be awarded for events reaching less than 400 students
$1000 grants will be awarded for events reaching more than 400 students

Watch our Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day Webinar Recording!

 

What is Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day?

Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day honors the living legacy of civil rights activist Ruby Bridges. Every November 14th, we celebrate Ruby’s courageous and historic act by encouraging students to walk to school and engaging in a day of dialogue about activism, anti-racism, and anti-bullying. The goal is to inspire kids to make positive changes in their school and community.

Explore the Life of Ruby Bridges

In 1960, six-year-old Ruby Bridges etched her name in history when she integrated all-white William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans. Since then, Ruby has become a national icon for her courageous action and continues to inspire people to stand up to racism and bullying. Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day has introduced her story to a new generation of young people and sparked meaningful conversations about transportation equity. We encourage you to learn about Ruby’s story and share it with others.

History of Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day

Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day began with a group of fifth grade students in South San Francisco. After learning about Ruby Bridges in school, the students wanted to create a special day to celebrate Ruby’s courage. With support from the San Mateo County Safe Routes to School program, the students turned their idea into a Walk to School Day celebration. In 2021, the California State Senate passed an official resolution proclaiming November 14th as Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day.

These resources explain the history of Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day and the students who inspired the movement. Share them with school staff, community members, and students as you begin planning your event.

How to Plan a Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day Celebration

Define your purpose. The goal of Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day is to engage in constructive conversations about racism, bullying, and activism. These conversations will be different depending on where you are and what issues are most important to students. Before you plan your event, reflect on the purpose of Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day. Think about how the celebration can positively impact your community. Discuss your ideas with your Safe Routes team or with students.

  • Why do you want to host a Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day celebration?
  • What conversations do you want to have in your school/community about activism, racism, and anti-bullying?
  • How can you use Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day to elevate these topics?
  • Student question: What do you see that needs to be improved in your school, neighborhood, or city/town?
  • What is one change you would like to see in your community as a result of Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day?

Connect with your partners. Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day is a relatively new idea. Your partners might not know about the event or why it is important. We created this email template you can use to reach out to partners about the event. Feel free to adapt as needed!

Partner Email:

Dear __________,

I am organizing a Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day celebration on Thursday, November 14th at [location]. The event honors the legacy of civil rights icon Ruby Bridges who integrated her all-white school in 1960. Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day encourages young people to stand up to racism and bullying and make positive changes in their own community. It also builds upon Walk and Roll to School Day, an annual event celebrated each October in Safe Routes to School programs. Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day will provide another opportunity for students to gather with their peers and discuss issues that are important to them.

Here are a few details about our celebration:

  • Date and time
  • Location
  • 2-3 key details about your celebration

I would love to have our community partners join us! Here are a few ways you can get involved:

  • Volunteer at the event
  • Spread the word on social media
  • 2-3 more ideas for how partners can participate

Please reach out to ____________ if you are interested in participating. I look forward to hearing from you!

Partner Contact List:

  • Schools
  • Teachers
  • Students/student groups
  • Librarians
  • Local historians
  • Elected officials
  • Artists
  • Communications team
  • Photographer/Videographer
  • Local media
  • Businesses
  • Transportation advocates and Safe Routes champions
  • Community organizations

Plan your activities. Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day weaves together history, activism, and transportation. Your activities can be a unique blend of different subjects, artforms, and learning styles. Here are a few activity ideas and examples of how other communities celebrate Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day:

For additional ideas, check out our Walk to School Day factsheet.

Share your event. One of the best ways to build momentum around Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day is by sharing your celebration with the public. Inviting local press to your event, posting on social media, and inviting community members to participate increases the visibility of Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day and elevates student voices within the larger community. Here are a few ways you can spread the word about your event:

  • Create a primer on Ruby Bridges to share with students, families, and community members
  • Create or download Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day social media graphics to share on district, school or PTO social media
  • Post about the event in a school newsletter
  • Create posters and flyers
  • Issue a press release to local media

Document your event. The big day is finally here! Assign people to take pictures, videos, and share on social media. This is a good time to partner with a Communications person at your local government or school district. You can also include interactive elements that invite students to share their thoughts about the celebration.

  • Collect photos and videos in accordance with your district’s photo release protocol
  • Gather quotes from students, school staff, and community members
  • Have students share ideas about how they can make change in their community
  • Create a photo gallery or highlight reel
  • Tag Safe Routes Partnership on social media posts - Facebook, LinkedIn, X

Keep up the momentum. Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day aims to make long-lasting, positive change. After your event, think about how to continue conversations about racism, bullying, and activism throughout the year. Incorporate these ideas into future Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day celebrations.

  • Share highlights with the SRTS team, local media, elected officials, and the Safe Routes Partnership
  • Reflect on successes and opportunities for improvement
  • Host a discussion with your Safe Routes to School committee and partners about ways to make your program more equitable
  • State partners: Create a Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day toolkit for local practitioners
  • Join classroom discussion about improving the school, neighborhood, or city/town – see prompts and activities in Day of Dialogue guide

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Remember to share your celebration highlights with us! Tag us on social media at Facebook, LinkedIn, X, or email Christina Van Allen at christina@saferoutespartnership.org

For questions about organizing a Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day event, reach out to Kori Johnson at kori@saferoutespartnership.org