Civil Rights Icon Ruby Bridges to Speak at UChicago’s MLK Commemoration

CHICAGO, Ill. — Ruby Bridges, the civil rights icon who became the first Black student to integrate an all-white New Orleans public school in 1960, will share her story at the University of Chicago’s 35th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration on Jan. 29. The event, free and open to the public, will take place at 6 p.m. at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel.

Bridges, who was just six years old when she walked into William Frantz Elementary School flanked by U.S. marshals, will participate in a fireside chat. The evening will also feature remarks from UChicago President Paul Alivisatos and performances by Uniting Voices Chicago.

“It is an honor to welcome Ruby Bridges to campus as the featured speaker for this year’s program,” said Vice Provost Waldo E. Johnson, Jr. “Her lifelong pursuit of ensuring equal access to educational opportunity began before she recognized the lasting impact of her actions, and her story continues to inspire each new generation.”

Born in 1954, the same year as the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision, Bridges became a symbol of courage and resilience. On Nov. 14, 1960, she was the only Black student to attend William Frantz Elementary School, facing death threats and harassment. White parents withdrew their children, and teachers refused to teach her, leaving Bridges as the sole student in her class for the entire year.

Her historic walk was immortalized in Norman Rockwell’s famous painting, *The Problem We All Live With*. Bridges’ bravery galvanized the desegregation of public education in the U.S. and inspired generations of activists.

Since then, Bridges has become a prominent author and advocate. She established the Ruby Bridges Foundation to promote tolerance and change through education. Her books, including *Through My Eyes* (1999), *This Is Your Time* (2020), and *I Am Ruby Bridges* (2022), have reached countless readers. In 2024, she released *Dear Ruby, Hear Our Hearts*, a compilation of responses to letters from young students addressing issues like bullying, racism, and climate change.

Bridges has received numerous accolades, including the NAACP Martin Luther King Award, the Presidential Citizens Medal, and honorary doctorate degrees from several institutions. In March 2024, she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.

The MLK Commemoration at UChicago continues a tradition of honoring leaders who have followed in Dr. King’s footsteps. Past speakers have included Martin Luther King III, Attorney General Eric Holder Jr., Cheryl Brown Henderson, Isabel Wilkerson, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, and President Barack Obama. Dr. King himself spoke at UChicago in 1956 and 1959.

Guests are encouraged to register for tickets to the event, which promises to be a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight for equality and justice.