Ruby Bridges, Civil Rights Activist, to be Honored at Assumption College

October, 2003—On Tuesday, October 14, 2003, Ruby Bridges, the six-year-old depicted in the famous Norman Rockwell painting, A Problem We All Live With, will be honored at Assumption College. Ms. Bridges, a Civil Rights Activist, made history at the age of six as she became the first black child enrolled in the William Franz Elementary School in New Orleans, arriving that first day of school in the company of armed federal marshals.

Ms. Bridges will be this year’s recipient of the Legacy of Caring Award, an annual award that recognized someone who has improved the quality of life for children and their families on a national and/or international basis. The award will be given at the 8th Annual Legacy of Caring Conference, which is co-sponsored by Devereux-Massachusetts and Assumption College. Past recipients of the award include: The Kennedy Family, accepted by Senator Edward M. Kennedy; James P. McGovern, United States Congressman; David Leiderman, CEO, Child Welfare League of America; and Deborah Prothrow-Stith, M.D.; Harvard University.

In addition to the awarding of this honor, the program also indicates that Governor Mitt Romney, Mayor Timothy Murray and the Selectman in Town of Rutland will each be declaring Tuesday as “Ruby Bridges Day” in proclamations scheduled to be read.

Ms. Bridges will be recognized at the luncheon scheduled as part of the conference. The conference, titled "Risky Business: Life Altering Decisions” will begin at 9:00 a.m. and run through 5:00 p.m. The luncheon is scheduled from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. in the Hagan Campus Center.