Modesto students’ walk to school honors civil rights icon Ruby Bridges
To commemorate the struggles and successes of a civil rights icon, students at Modesto’s Woodrow Elementary School took part Friday in the Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day.
Students across all grade levels met at Davis Park Church of Christ on Rumble Road to walk about a quarter mile on the Virginia Corridor Trail, finishing at their school. They were joined by family members, staff and community leaders including Mayor Sue Zwahlen and Councilmember Jeremiah Williams. This was Woodrow Elementary’s fourth year participating in the new tradition.
In 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that segregation in schools was unconstitutional. But in New Orleans, Louisiana, the ruling was met with violent public resistance. Lawmakers took efforts to shut down public schools facing integration, and many white families boycotted the schools as well.
Then on Nov. 14, 1960, 6-year-old Ruby, guarded by federal marshals, embarked on her walk to a previously all-white school while throngs of community members hurled food and threats at her. Her attendance at William J. Frantz Elementary School was historic because she was the first Black student to attend a previously all-white institution in the South.
“The value is just not forgetting about that important piece of history, of her walking into that school and making that first step of desegregating that school and showing that she had a right for an education there just like anyone else that was going to that school,” transitional kindergarten teacher and an event organizer Trisha Rascon said.
More than seven years ago, Ruby Bridges’ story inspired some fifth-graders in South San Francisco to ask why there wasn’t a day to honor her story and role in history. Their advocacy eventually led to the California Legislature to pass a resolution designating Nov. 14 as Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day in 2021.
The Ruby Bridges Foundation and AAA partnered in 2021 to support the annual walk-to-school event. Partnering schools facilitate a walk to school for their students with some education about Ruby Bridge, the civil rights movement, and the importance of ending racism and bullying.
The children walking Friday morning in Modesto had pennants, nylon bags and knit caps, all provided by AAA.
“Remembering is a very important tool in the minds of humans, and being able to remember people for what they do is important, whether it’s a walk, whether it’s what we do individually for each of our citizens and our families,” Councilmember Williams said.
This story was originally published November 14, 2025 at 4:11 PM.