Save the date! This page will be updated with more details as the event comes together!
Significance of the Day
Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day is an annual day of dialogue to commemorate Ruby’s historic steps as the first Black student at William Frantz Elementary. This initiative began with a group of School Safety Patrollers from a school in South San Francisco and progressed to the California State Legislature recognizing November 14 each year as a day to commemorate Bridges’ courage and the power of young people. The Ruby Bridges Foundation encourages young people, schools, and communities all over the world to participate in a day of dialogue, reflection, and to take action on a topic or goal that is important to their community.
Bay Bridge and sponsors are highlighting this amazing individual with events around the North Shore area. We are asking you to share your memories and insight as it applies to the desegregation of schools (1954) where and when you grew up, as well as the 220 Act (1975-2021), a voluntary program that buses students across district lines to promote racial integration.
Also take time to observe that all around us are underfunded transit systems, streets built to prioritize car speed over pedestrian safety, and freeways that sit where vibrant (and often Black) neighborhoods once stood proudly – many of which are direct legacies of racism. It will take significant work and advocacy by those with privilege to revert these past mistakes.
By taking a walk to school and considering the trip through this historical lens, perhaps you will notice some small injustices that could be improved in your neighborhood and, imagine yourself in the shoes of someone walking to push back against segregation.
Schedule of Events
Thursday, November 13 at the Whitefish Bay Library
- 3:30pm – Tweens Afterschool Street Safety
- 3:30pm – 5:00pm – MCTS Learn To Ride a Bus – All are welcome, open house format. Bring your bike and you can learn how to use the bike racks on all Milwaukee County busses!
- 5:00pm – 7:00pm – Multi-generational Panel Discussion – Register Here (Encouraged, not required)
Friday, November 14
Saturday, November 15 at most North Shore Libraries
- Ruby Bridges Story Event (9:30am at the Whitefish Bay Library)
Events
Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day
Honor the legacy of Ruby Bridges and the desegregation of our schools by walking with your family to school to commemorate her historic steps. Use this opportunity to have conversations about how racism has shaped our neighborhoods and how you might be able to take small actions to repair the enduring effects. We have provided questions you might consider discussing with your family at some point. As you walk to school, consider how you might still feel unsafe while walking or biking, and how some areas of your community might have better or worse access to school, work, and play.
The North Shore Health Department will be hosting a story walk along the Milwaukee River Parkway near their office, North Shore Fire Department Station 82 and Parkway School in Glendale. Bring your family for a walk or bike ride along the new multi-use trail and read the Ruby Bridges story.
Tweens Afterschool Street Safety
Join the Wisconsin Bike Fed and MilWALKee Walks and learn about navigating our neighborhood safely. For kids who already are moving about the Village on their own, bring ideas of areas where you struggle to feel safe, or aren’t sure how to best navigate. Kids are welcome to stop by after school or playing games, and some light snacks will be provided to get you through until dinner!
MCTS Learn to Ride a Bus
MCTS will be bringing a bus and experts on all things busses! They can help you learn how to pay for the bus, understand the schedules and where you can get on the bus. If you’re interested in becoming a pro-level bus rider, bring your bike and you can practice getting your bike on the rack on the front of every MCTS bus. This is an excellent way to get around our County without a car! Everyone is welcome to stop by, and it will be an open house style event so stop by whenever you can!
Multi-generational Panel Discussion
An inspiring, inter-generational gathering to honor Ruby Bridges and reflect on her impact. Through storytelling, discussion, and shared learning, we’ll explore how her courage continues to shape conversations on equity, education, and justice today. To connect with modern day equity struggles, we will be promoting walking and biking safety, safe transportation options, and emphasizing how the ability to walk, bike, bus to school or work supports personal independence and community well-being.
Ruby Bridges Story-time
Bring your little ones (suitable for ages 2-8) to participate in a Ruby Bridges story-time. Some age appropriate activities may be provided at some branches as well. Check with your local North Shore library for specific details.
Resources
- Ruby Bridges Foundation
- I Am Ruby Bridges (buy the book)
- I Am Ruby Bridges (library)
- Ruby Bridges Instagram
Discussion Questions
For Adults and Older Children
In what ways has the desegregation of schools, or the implementation of the 220 Act, impacted your life, your opportunities, or your community?
Being able to walk or have easy access to schools can be an obstacle that many communities and families face. This has changed and impacted people over the years in many different ways. Please share a memory or how it has impacted your life.
What could be done as part of a community to make people of color, varying socioeconomic backgrounds or varying abilities, feel welcome and safe?
For Younger Children
As you can imagine, Ruby Bridges probably felt very scared going into a new school, escorted by police officers to keep her safe. People were shouting cruel things to her and she was the only person who had dark skin in her school. What have you experienced in your life that made you feel scared or nervous like Ruby felt?
Do you know what The Golden Rule is? What do you think it means? Do you follow it? How can you help others remember to follow the golden rule even when it seems difficult? As a class? As a family? As a community?
What could you do to make someone new to your school or someone who doesn’t look or act like everyone else, to feel welcome and safe in your school or community?
What would you tell Ruby if you had the chance to meet her?
For Teens
During the Civil Rights Movement, activists worked to change discriminatory laws and create equal access. While new laws have ended some types of legal discrimination that does not mean that prejudiced actions have come to an end. Ruby’s generation addressed one type of challenge, but your generation faces other challenges. Where are the civil rights issues of your generation, today? How can you address them?
Is there anything you would want to change in the world? What is it? Can you think of small steps or small changes that you can make to get closer to that change? Are there ways to help others learn how to make small changes?
