Peninsula School Leads Effort For Ruby Bridges Walk To School Day

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A South San Francisco fifth grade class’ efforts to honor Ruby Bridges, the first Black student to integrate an elementary school in the South as a 6-year-old, led to the California legislature naming Nov. 14 Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day last week.

Senate Resolution 59, introduced by state Sen. Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) passed unanimously Friday and caps a three-year effort by fifth grade classes at Martin Elementary School to recognize Bridges after one student asked their teacher, Deborah Carlino, why there wasn’t a Ruby Bridges Day when learning about the Civil Rights figure.

The class collected over 1,100 signatures for a petition, persuading the South San Francisco Unified School District Board to establish the day. Later classes worked for recognition from the San Mateo County Board of Education, the South San Francisco City Council and the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.

Now, they have recognition on a statewide level.

“Ruby Bridges is a role model to our youth, particularly young girls, and her courageous act demonstrates the immense potential our young people have to become leaders,” Becker said.

Carlino and her current fifth graders had a livestream of Senate sessions playing during class in anticipation of Friday’s vote. Carlino said the next goal is to establish a national walk to school day for Bridges, according to a news release.

“I think that Ruby resonates with all of us so much because she exemplifies the power of a child and a child who peacefully went forward and did her best and did this for other people,” Carlino said.