ELA CFA 3/4/25

Read the passage to answer the questions:

The Unshakable Ruby Bridges
1. Ruby Bridges was born in 1954. Six years later, she made history when she became the first African American child to go to William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Louisiana. At the time, schools in Louisiana were segregated, or divided by race. White students and African American students were not allowed to learn in the same place. That was about to change.

2. At first Ruby’s father worried about sending Ruby to the all-white school. He did not think it would be safe. Ruby’s mother understood that there would be danger. Still, she knew Ruby could get a better education at William Frantz Elementary. Ruby deserved a good education as much as anyone else.

3. Ruby faced many challenges. On her first day at the new school, marshals had to walk her into the school. Angry white parents stood outside shouting as Ruby passed. They called her terrible names and made threats. The crowd was so angry, Ruby was forced to stay in the principal’s office all day for her own safety. Her problems did not end there.

4. All year, the marshals had to protect Ruby. When shouting did not help the angry parents get their way, many of them took their children out of the school. Even teachers at the school were not willing to have Ruby in their classrooms. Only one teacher, Barbara Henry, agreed to take Ruby as a student. Ruby was the only student in Henry’s class all year.

5. Through all of these hardships, Ruby—who was only six years old—remained brave. Her family did, too. Ruby's father was fired from his job. Her grandparents lost their land. Stores refused to sell goods to her mother. Still, Ruby and her family did not back down.

6. Today, Ruby is Ruby Bridges Hall. She is a civil rights hero. In 1999, she started the Ruby Bridges Foundation. The group helps educate people to fight racism. Ruby believes that people of all races deserve equal respect.