Ruby Bridges, Made Famous in Iconic Painting, Goes to White House
by Jorge Rivas, Color Lines Magazine
uby Bridges is perhaps best known as the 6-year-old little girl depicted in Norman Rockwell’s iconic painting “The Problem We All Live With.” And today, she’s headed to the White House.
The work was inspired by the story of Bridges and her struggle to integrate New Orleans public schools in November of 1960. The image featured the young African American girl being escorted to school by federal marshals amidst signs of protest and fearful ignorance.
Charles Burks, one of the U.S. marshals who escorted Bridges and her mother into the school building, remembers the little girl who became a hero. “She showed a lot of courage,” Burke said. “She never cried. She didn’t whimper. She just marched along like a little soldier. And we’re all very proud of her.” [more]
