10/09/2024
Civil rights icon Ruby Bridges turned 70 this week and this Mighty Girl from Arkansas paid homage to her hero during her school's book character parade!
This amazing photo dates back a few years ago when then 6-year-old Jodie Thornton dressed up as Bridges, who as a 6-year-old herself famously became the first Black child to desegregate an all-White elementary school in the South. When the then 1st grader walked to William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans on November 14, 1960, she was surrounded by a team of U.S. Marshals for her protection from an angry mob. To further evoke that historic moment, Jodie posed for this picture with her father JR Thornton, who happens to be a U.S. Marshal.
Jodie’s mom, Brandy Coates Thornton, says that when she and her daughter went through Jodie's books together to decide on a costume for the character parade, Jodie was so moved by Ruby Bridges' story that she choose to dress in her likeness. Thornton says she exclaimed: “Mama, I really do look like Ruby Bridges. I wish she had someone like you to walk her to school." It wasn't until she shared Jodie's picture on Facebook, however, that Thornton says she realized its impact, especially on people who lived through that period: "You just never know how an act so simple can mean so much to so many people on so many levels. I just never imagined that this would touch so many people... we’re not forgetting our history.”
If you'd like to share Ruby Bridge’s inspiring story with children, we highly recommend the picture book "The Story Of Ruby Bridges" for ages 4 to 8 (https://www.amightygirl.com/the-story-of-ruby-bridges), the chapter book "She Persisted: Ruby Bridges" for ages 6 to 9 (https://www.amightygirl.com/she-persisted-ruby-bridges), and the memoir that Ruby Bridges wrote for ages 8 to 12 entitled "Through My Eyes" (https://www.amightygirl.com/through-my-eyes).
Ruby Bridges is the author of the picture book "I Am Ruby Bridges" for ages 4 to 8 (https://www.amightygirl.com/i-am-ruby-bridges) and a book connecting today's activism with her own childhood experiences for ages 10 and up "This Is Your Time" for ages 10 and up (https://www.amightygirl.com/this-is-your-time)
For books for all ages about more courageous girls and women of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement for children and teens, check out our blog post on "50 Inspiring Books on Girls & Women of the Civil Rights Movement" at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=11177
For our favorite t-shirt celebrating fierce Mighty Girls like Ruby Bridges, check out the "Though She Be But Little She Is Fierce" t-shirt -- available in a variety of styles and colors for all ages at https://www.amightygirl.com/fierce-t-shirt
