Lucille Bridges, the mother of civil rights icon and activist Ruby Bridges, has died. She was 86.
Ruby Bridges became the first Black child to integrate an all-white elementary school in New Orleans, Louisiana in November 1960 when she was just 6-years-old. Lucille was right by her side as federal marshals escorted them past an angry mob that yelled horrible racist slurs and threats at Ruby.
Ruby paid tribute to her mother in an Instagram post. She posted a picture of Lucille holding her hand as they were escorted down the steps of William Frantz Public School by the marshals. In the caption she shared a snippet of what her mother meant to her.
“Today our country lost a hero. Brave, progressive, a champion for change. She helped alter the course of so many lives by setting me out on my path as a six year old little girl. Our nation lost a Mother of the Civil Rights Movement today. And I lost my mom. I love you and am grateful for you. May you Rest In Peace,” Ruby wrote.
Though Ruby was cemented in history for her bravery at such a young age during the ugliness of the Jim Crow South, she credited her parents with being the “real heroes.”
“My parents are the real heroes. They (sent me to that public school) because they felt it was the right thing to do,” Ruby once said.
Lucille and Ruby’s father, Abon Bridges, had five children. Ruby was the oldest. Originally from Tylertown, Mississippi, the Bridges relocated to New Orleans in 1960.
It was then the family volunteered to join the movement to integrate the New Orleans school system after answering a request from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
Listen to GHOGH with Jamarlin Martin | Episode 73: Jamarlin Martin Jamarlin makes the case for why this is a multi-factor rebellion vs. just protests about George Floyd. He discusses the Democratic Party’s sneaky relationship with the police in cities and states under Dem control, and why Joe Biden is a cop and the Steve Jobs of mass incarceration.
Ruby was one of six Black children that passed a test which determined whether they were qualified to integrate. Two decided to stay at their home schools and three were sent to McDonogh 19 Elementary School. That left Ruby to integrate Frantz by herself.
Lucille walked her daughter to school every day, determined to give her an education she was never afforded, New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell said in a statement on Twitter. She echoed Ruby’s description of Lucille as “one of the mothers of the Civil Rights Movement in New Orleans.”
“Lucille’s strength was unbounded during this period,” Cantrell said. “Lucille insisted, seeing the action as an opportunity to help all Black children, and walked Ruby, with federal marshals, past chanting and taunting white protesters and to the schoolhouse. Mother and daughter both revealed their character and courage.”
Though the Bridges suffered greatly for their decision – including Abon’s job loss, Ruby’s grandparents being kicked off the land they sharecropped and the eventual dissolution of Abon and Lucille’s marriage – Lucille insisted they take part in the movement.
“Lucille’s strength was unbounded during this period. Her husband was reluctant when the request came from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to participate,” Cantrell said.
Ruby’s journey was captured in the famous Norman Rockwell painting “The Problem We All Live With.” Her story is receiving renewed attention as an image of U.S. Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris walking alongside Bridges’ shadow as she is depicted in the painting began circulating after Harris’ historic win.
On Instagram. Ruby posted the photo and said she was grateful to have been able to contribute to allowing such a day to be possible.
“I am Honored to be a part of this path and Grateful to stand alongside you, Together with Our fellow Americans, as we step into this Next Chapter of American History!” Bridges wrote.
Ruby received an outpouring of condolences from followers after announcing her mother’s death.
“So sorry for your loss. She was an amazing woman who raised an amazing woman. Sending love in this time of mourning,” one user wrote.
Cantrell went a bit further, noting how all mother’s could relate to Lucille’s love for Ruby.
“I think I speak for all mothers who want the best for their children when I hope for the same moral courage, bravery and love as that of Lucille Bridges. May she rest in God’s perfect peace,” Cantrell wrote.
