JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Through the eyes of a child with a pure heart, crowds of people chanting, barricades, cameras, officers on horseback and motorcycles appeared to be a parade.
On Nov. 14, 1960, four girls would integrate New Orleans schools. It wasn’t a Mardi Gras parade that they stumbled upon while heading to school that day. The crowds' chants were not that of revelry, but hate.
150 Black New Orleans kindergarteners were given an entrance exam, tested to see if they had what it took to keep up with white students. Six of them passed. Two chose to stay out of the fray.
Leona Tate, Gail Etienne and Tessie Prevost attended McDonogh 19 Elementary. On the same day, Ruby Bridges walked into William Frantz Public School, escorted by four U.S. Marshalls sent by then President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
While inside the school building, Bridges watched as parents rushed to pull their children out of school and away from her. A small girl, just 6-years-old taking on a monumental fight.
By day two of first grade, the crowds doubled with threats of hanging Bridges, while others promised to poison her. She was unaware of her bravery. Bridges was simply told by her parents to behave as she started a new school. She would advance the cause of civil rights, changing the face of education across the country.
Bridges' bravery has inspired generations of young women, including Taylor Richardson who aspires to one day make history herself as the first Black woman on Mars.
Richardson is grateful for role models such as Bridges and Dr. Mae Jemison, the first Black woman to travel into space.
"Celebrating Black History Month is crucial in regard to recognizing and honoring the Black individuals who have made substantial achievements across the world," Richardson said. "I feel like it serves as a reminder of not only the resilience, the achievements and the struggles that shape the Black community, but also allows us to reflect within our role models and within ourselves to inspire those who are coming after us."
There's a mural on the upper Eastside of Jacksonville of Richardson who has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for various initiatives. She advocates for Black girls to step into STEM roles.
An aspiring astronaut, Richardson is now studying to become a doctor at Spellman College. But her quest, literally reaching for the stars, began early on. In 2018 while crowdfunding to send young girls to a screening of 'A Wrinkle in Time,' she appeared on Good Morning America and received a surprise donation from Oprah Winfrey.
Richardson would go on to be named one of People Magazine's, "2021 Girls Changing the World."
Before attending Spelman, a historically Black college, Richardson was often the minority in every classroom she entered, and says she's been bullied because of the color of her skin. She credits history makers such as Bridges for inspiring her to persevere.
"I feel like she is the reason [why] we have made progress in education and reminds me to just stand firm in the face of adversity," Richardson said.
Vivid Hues: Civil Rights icon Ruby Bridges, featured artist Myah Freeman.