Ruby Bridges Reading Festival

The National Civil Rights Museum is hosting its eighth Ruby Bridges Reading Festivalon Saturday, May 17, featuring celebrated civil rights icon and author Ruby Bridges. Held on the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision anniversary, the free event honors Bridges’ lifelong advocacy for equity, education, and youth empowerment. This year’s festival is significant in that it is held on the anniversary of the Brown v. Board decision.

At just six years old, Bridges made history by integrating William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, facing mobs and isolation in a pivotal moment for the civil rights movement. Today, she continues to fight injustice—this time through the power of books, public engagement, and her foundation’s youth programs.

Bridges will read from her latest work, Ruby Bridges: A Talk with My Teacher, which pays tribute to Barbara Henry, the only teacher who stood by her during the 1960 desegregation crisis. Festival highlights include guest readings by children’s authors and thousands of book giveaways. Families can also enjoy crafts, music, balloon art, storytelling, and educational fun for children from pre-K through elementary. Register online.