Connecting Ruby Bridges’ historic journey with Sarasota’s own history

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - On November 14th, 1960, six-year-old Ruby Bridges became the first African American child to integrate an all-white elementary school– walking into William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Louisiana. Two years later, Bay Haven School of Basics Plus became the first school to be integrated in Sarasota County when 29 African American students enrolled and walked through the doors.Now more than 60 years later, students at Bay Haven follow in those footsteps by taking a walk in their shoes.Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day is a proud tradition going on its fifth year at Bay Haven. Five years ago community members advocated for the school to dedicate a day for the Ruby Bridges walk. Walter Gilbert, the Host and Committee Chair for the event speaking about how this day will be remembered, “They’ll be telling their kids about the day they were in the presence of Ruby Bridges.”“It is so very important especially with the way history is being taught in our school s