Lucille Bridges Ruby Bridges mother

In 1956 U.S. District Court Judge J. Skelly Wright ordered the desegregation of the New Orleans public schools. After a series of appeals, in 1960, Wright set down a plan that required the integration of the schools on a grade-per-year basis, beginning with the first grade. The School Board issued a test to black kindergartners to determine the best candidates. Six-year old Ruby Bridges was one of six children selected. Four agreed to proceed. On November 14, Bridges integrated the William Frantz Public School. In retaliation, white parents withdrew her classmates and Bridges's father was fired from his job. Ruby completed the first grade alone with the support of Barbara Henry, a Boston teacher, and Dr. Robert Coles, a child psychiatrist. Ruby's walk to school the first day, escorted by U.S. Marshals, inspired the 1964 Norman Rockwell painting, "The Problem We All Live With."

The "deliberate speed" called for in the Supreme Court's Brown decision was quickly overshadowed by events outside the nation's courtrooms. In Montgomery, Alabama, a grassroots revolt against segregated public transportation inspired a multitude of similar protests and boycotts. A number of school districts in the Southern and border states desegregated peacefully. Elsewhere, white resistance to school desegregation resulted in open defiance and violent confrontations.

Randolph AFB, TX, 3/31/2011: Lucille Bridges tells Randolph Air Force Base elementary school students about her first grade daughter, Ruby, being among the first African-American student to integrate New Orleans public schools in 1960. Bridges was invited to speak to various groups at the base on March 31, 2011 by the Women's History Month committee. (U.S. Air Force photo/David Terry)

Students at Randolph Air Force Base elementary school listen as Lucille Bridges recalls events that led to her daughter Ruby, a first grader, being among the first African-American to integrate New Orleans public schools in 1960. Bridges was invited to speak at the base March 31, 2011 as part of Women's History Month activities. (U.S. Air Force photo/David Terry)

Lucille Bridges, center, points to documents and photographs of her daughter Ruby, a first grader, entering school in 1960 in New Orleans under the protection of U.S. Federal Marshals. She was among the first African-American students to integrate New Orleans public schools. Listening to her, during a March 31, 2011 visit to Randolph Air Force Base, Texas are, (l. to r.) Sharon Holdipp, Felicia McCollum and Deanna Markovitch. The three are Care Managers with the Wounded Warrior Program at Headquarters Air Force Personnel Center. Bridges visited the base as part of Women's History Month. (U.S. Air Force photo/David Terry)

OPENING TEXT CREDIT: Brown v. Board at Fifty