NEW ORLEANS — A life-size metal figure was unveiled Thursday to mark the historic steps Ruby Bridges took into the William Frantz Elementary School 62 years ago. She was the first black student to desegregate the all-white school in the Ninth Ward.
It was 1960 when Bridges, then six-years-old, walked into the school. Four U.S. Marshals escorted her in while angry crowds shouted and threatened her.
"Just 62 years ago, when Ruby Bridges was only six, she walked these stairs and not only changed the course of integration in this city, but also the course of history," said Akili Academy Principal Jasmine Graves Black-Clemons.
Black-Clemons is now the principal of that same school building, now Akili Academy. Outside the building, a life-size metal figure was unveiled to mark those historic steps. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser unveiled the marker Thursday.
"Wow what incredible heroes, occurrences, champions, bravery," Nungesser said. It's the eighth marker on the Louisiana Civil Rights Trail.
"I never learned this in school so it's not just the tourism aspect, it’s the education, the story that needs to be told and those heroes, their families, to recognize them," Nungesser said.
Nungesser said five more markers are set to be unveiled across the state with potentially more to come.
"We're realizing how many incredible heroes, courageous acts started right here in Louisiana for the civil rights movement," Nungesser said.
"It's a beautiful thing to see, to be here, to be here alive to see it," said Carl Bridges, Ruby Bridges' brother.
Ruby Bridges was not able to attend the unveiling, but her brother was there. He remembers attending the school following his sister.
"It was a struggle back then to come here at this school," he said.
The struggle his family faced is now recognized as a monumental step in the civil rights movement.
"I appreciate it because my mom's not here to see it and she went through the struggles too," Carl Bridges said.
The Louisiana Civil Rights Trail markers are cut from steel and weigh over 200 pounds.