Close to 300 participants, from the elementary schools to Piedmont Middle School and Piedmont High, gathered early Friday morning in Piedmont Park for the annual Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, an event honoring one of the most iconic figures in civil rights history. Beach Elementary held their own special celebration at Beach. This year’s walk marked the 65th anniversary of Ruby Bridges’ historic step into William Frantz Elementary School in 1960, when the six-year-old became the first Black student to integrate an all-white school in New Orleans. Her courage continues to inspire generations of students to stand up for equality, kindness, and justice.
What began as a small event organized by parents has now expanded significantly. This year, returning organizers Sarah Eisemon and Laura Edeen collaborated closely with Jean Takazawa, Director of DEIB and teacher of the Affinity Mentorship Program, to expand this event district-wide.
Affinity Mentors from PHS took the lead in addressing the crowd, sharing the history of Ruby Bridges. At the same time, younger students listened as their older peers spoke about courage and the responsibility of today’s students to carry forward our values of inclusion and belonging.
