Only fifty years ago this week, in New Orleans USA, a six year old coloured girl walked into her local school for her first day’s attendance.

That is a big moment in anyone’s life, though for most of us that day would disappear as just another day in the haze of our distant childhood memories.

For an innocent little Ruby Bridges though it became an unforgettable day. For American citizens everywhere, it was an unforgettable day. For the human race it became a significant day.

Ruby was one of only six African-American children who passed a test for selection to be admitted to an integrated school. ‘Integrated’ referred to the integration of caucasian students with coloured students.

Of the six, two opted to remain in their existing schools, three were assigned to McDonough Elementary School and only Ruby was assigned to nearby William Frantz. Ruby’s father was understandably concerned for his daughter’s safety and was reluctant, but her mother insisted that she should go and set an example for all African-American students, who deserved an equal opportunity for education.

A seething and vociferous crowd gathered to protest this historic decision.

Ruby said later as an adult that she could remember the crowd chanting “Two, four, six. eight. We don’t want to integrate!”, but it did not really upset her because she just recognised that it rhymed, but didn’t know what ‘integrate’ meant.

What does still give her nightmares is that one white mother protested with a black baby doll in a wooden coffin outside the school. She still relives that childhood trauma today.

Another ‘white’ mother threatened to poison her, such was the tide of feeling against African-Americans.

The child had to be escorted to her first day at school by US Marshals, who feared for her life. They insisted that she only eat food brought from her own home to be on the safe side.

One of the Marshals, Charles Burk said of Ruby, “She showed a lot of courage. She never cried. She didn’t whimper. She just marched along like a little soldier and we’re all very proud of her.”

As soon as Ruby started her first day at school, the white mothers came in and removed their children from the school. All but one of the teachers, refused to teach a class in which a ‘black girl’ was enrolled. Teacher, Barbara Henry from Boston, taught her as if she was teaching a whole class, alone for a year.

This brave stance against appalling discrimination came at a price though – Ruby’s father lost his job and her grandparents were turned off their land in Mississippi.

Happily,both black and white people rallied to help, however and a neighbour employed her Dad. A white lady babysat, others formed a neighborhood watch to keep vigil over the family home, some formed a guard of honour behind the Marshals walking Ruby to school and other white parents began to send their kids back to continue their education.

A psychiatrist, Robert Coles, volunteered to provide counselling for little Ruby during her first year at school, so she survived the awful bigotry, though it would be impossible not to be affected by it through her whole life.

Ruby went on to work as a travel agent, married and had four children of her own.

In 1999, Ruby, now Ruby Bridges Hall set up the Ruby Bridges Foundation, “to promote the values of toleration, respect and appreciation of all differences”.

Ruby summarises her mission, “racism is a grown-up disease and we must stop using our children to spread it.”

One happy snippet was that this year Ruby had a 50th Anniversary re-union at Franz Elementary School, where she met up with Pam Foreman Testroet, who was the first white child, then aged only 5, to break the boycott and return to school.

Ruby now travels and is an inspirational speaker, promoting her message of respect and tolerance for all people of all races.

How amazing to think that all of this was only 50 years ago!

Tony’s view: It all starts with a dream. Martin Luther King had a dream. Ruby Bridges’ parents had a dream. They faced huge adversity, yet their courage prevailed.

Be bold. Life is shorter than it should be, so make it count!

Write a list of places you want to visit, things you want to do, people you want to meet.

Need some help. Sign up for some great ideas, courtesy of  a Vacation Club that I promote. Check www.bucketlistholidays.com. Make it happen! You owe it to yourself and your family!