Hundreds of Piedmont’s elementary, middle and high school students showed up in Piedmont Park before the start of the school day on Nov. 14 to participate in the Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day — a day to commemorate an important moment in civil rights history.
On Nov. 14, 1960, six-year-old Ruby Bridges integrated William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, becoming a national icon for the civil rights movement. In 2018, fifth grade students in the South San Francisco Unified School District asked legislators to make Nov. 14 Ruby Bridges Day. The California State Senate agreed and proclaimed the day Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day.
Parents Sarah Eisemon and Laura Edeen organized the first Piedmont Ruby Bridges event last year for the three elementary schools. This year they reached out to Jean Takazawa who leads the Affinity Mentors program in the school district to bring in middle and high school students.
“A warm thank you to everyone in our community and beyond who celebrated Ruby Bridges and her message of kindness, inclusion and activism with us,” said Eisemon.
Yessica Cruz, MHS 12th grader and Jordan Kim, PHS 11th grader hold the Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day banner 
Kids and parents of all ages create chalk art in the themes of love, kindness, and inclusion 
High school Affinity Mentors address a crowd of hundreds that gathered in Piedmont Park for the event 
A group of youngsters listen to high school presenters on the history and importance of Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day 
One of the high school presenters speaks to the crowd 
Two girls wave their Ruby Bridges banners in the air 
Crowds gathered in Piedmont Park before the walk to school 
A child waves a Ruby Bridges flag while listening to the presentations 
Event co-organizers Sarah Eisemon and Laura Edeen with Jean Takazawa, Director of DEIB, Affinity Mentorship Program, and teacher 
A basket holds buttons, stickers and bracelets commemorating the event