Lucille Bridges, Mother of Civil Rights Activist Ruby Bridges, Dies Aged 86

Photo Courtesy of Steve Ueckert / AP file

On November 14, 1960, Lucille Bridges escorted her then-6-year-old daughter Ruby to William Frantz Elementary School as she became the first Black student to attend the previously segregated school in New Orleans. The actions of the mother-daughter duo helped advance the civil rights movement and inspired Norman Rockwell’s painting The Problem We All Live With.

On Tuesday evening, Ruby Bridges confirmed her mother’s passing in a post, saying: “Our nation lost a Mother of the Civil Rights Movement today. And I lost my mom. I love you and am grateful for you. May you Rest In Peace.”

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