While walking to school Thursday morning, Birney Elementary School students learned about the courage of an important civil-rights pioneer: Ruby Bridges.
On Nov. 14, 1960, Bridges became the first Black student to attend a formerly all-white school in New Orleans. Angry protesters yelled and hurled racial slurs at the 6-year-old as she passed. Yet accompanied by U.S. marshals, Bridges persevered.
Tacoma Public Schools commemorated the history-making moment on Thursday, 64 years later. Administrators shepherded students up sidewalks and passed out purple bracelets. Custom purple flags declared: “Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day” to honor the national annual event…