Daring Dreamers
Kids' Channel: People
A young girl walks down steps surrounded by men wearing U.S. Marshal arm bands.
Photo credit: AP Photo/File
Ruby Bridges walks down the steps of her school. Men walk with her to keep her safe.
From inspiring inventors to civil rights heroes to amazing artists, there are countless Black Americans who made their mark on history. But did you know that some of these incredible individuals were kids?
It's true! Many people started working to make the world a better place from a very early age. Read on to learn about three extraordinary kids who made history—all before they were teenagers.
A Courageous First Grader
On November 14, 1960, first grader Ruby Bridges bravely walked into her new school. The 6-year-old was about to become the first Black student at William Frantz Elementary. A law had been passed back in 1954 that made school segregation illegal. Until that point, many states in the United States required Black and White students to go to separate schools. But not everyone followed the new law. In fact, the schools in Bridges' hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana, didn't make the change until a court ordered them to do so.
And many White people were upset about it. They made things very difficult for Bridges. Every day, angry crowds shouted at her as she walked into the building, and many families removed their kids from the school. Still, Bridges made it through first grade—even though she was the only student in her classroom the entire year. Her strength and resolve paved the way for others to follow in her footsteps.
Bridges went on to become an activist fighting for racial equality. In 1999, she started the Ruby Bridges Foundation to fight racism and create change through education.
Video credit: National Archives
Video Transcript: Ruby Bridges
A Young Crusader for Civil Rights
Less than three years after Ruby Bridges took her first courageous steps into school, Freeman Hrabowski took part in his own march for justice in Birmingham, Alabama. Hrabowski was 12 years old when he heard about plans for a "children's crusade"—a kids' march to end school segregation. Hrabowski was a talented student who loved math and wanted to be able to go to school with all kids—so he decided to take action.
In May 1963, he joined more than 1,000 other kids between the ages of 7 and 18 in marching for equality throughout the city. It was a tough time—the march upset many people, and the Birmingham police tried to stop the protests with force. But Hrabowski stood strong. Later in life, he remembered hearing powerful words that day from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who told the marchers that their brave stand would have an impact on future generations of kids.
Hrabowski's contributions didn't end there! After working as a math professor, he went on to become president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. In that role, he supported Black students studying math and science—and helped all students achieve.
Daring Dreamers
Kids' Channel: People
A teen girl smiles at the camera
Photo credit: Courtesy Andrea Cipriani Mecchi
Marley Dias wanted to see more stories with Black girls, so she started a book drive.
The Reader Who Sparked a Movement
Today, some exceptional kids are following the path paved by Bridges and Hrabowski—and they're harnessing the power of the internet to spread their message and drive change. One of these kids is Marley Dias, a voracious reader who wanted to see more people like herself in books.
"I knew I was frustrated by the lack of diversity in the books I was reading in school, but it wasn't until my mother asked me about what I wanted to change that the [book drive] idea fully became clear," Dias told PBS.org. Only 11 years old at the time, Dias launched #1000BlackGirlBooks in November 2015 with the goal of collecting and then donating 1,000 books featuring a Black girl as the protagonist.
The project really took off. Pretty soon, news media, bloggers, and youth organizations around the world were talking about Dias's efforts. To date, Dias has collected more than 13,000 books. She was invited to speak at the White House's United States of Women along with former First Lady Michelle Obama, and was recognized by Time magazine in 2018 as one of the 25 most influential teens. She even wrote her own book. Marley Dias Gets It Done: And So Can You! is a guide to help other kids use their voices to make a difference.
Talk about inspiring! What changes would you like to see in the world? How would you spread your message?
The source highlights three extraordinary Black American children who made history before becoming teenagers.
The first is Ruby Bridges, who at the age of 6, became the first Black student at William Frantz Elementary in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1960. Despite facing angry crowds and being the only student in her classroom, Ruby's bravery paved the way for integration in schools. She later became an activist and started the Ruby Bridges Foundation to fight racism through education.
The second is Freeman Hrabowski, who at the age of 12, participated in the "children's crusade" to end school segregation in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963. He stood strong amidst opposition and heard powerful words from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that his actions would impact future generations. Later in life, Hrabowski became president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, supporting Black students and promoting educational equity.
The third is Marley Dias, who launched the #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign at the age of 11 to collect and donate books featuring Black girls as protagonists. The project gained significant attention, and Dias has collected over 13,000 books to date. She has also been recognized for her efforts and wrote a book to inspire other kids to make a difference.
The source encourages readers to think about what changes they would like to see in the world and how they would spread their messages.
QUESTION 1
1 / 4
Based on the article, which is true about Freeman Hrabowski?
Hrabowski marched for justice when he was a kid and grew up to work with Michelle Obama.
Hrabowski marched for justice when he was a kid and grew up to work with Dr. King.
Hrabowski marched for justice when he was a kid and grew up to become a professor.
Hrabowski marched for justice when he was a kid and grew up to start a company.
Hrabowski marched for justice when he was a kid and grew up to become a professor.
QUESTION 2
2 / 4
Think about the article. Why did Marley Dias set a goal to collect and donate books?
She wanted to start her own library to loan out books about Black girls.
She wanted to meet the former First Lady Michelle Obama.
She was frustrated by the lack of books available at her local library.
She was frustrated by the lack of books that had characters like herself.
Marley Dias set a goal to collect and donate books because she was frustrated by the lack of books that had characters like herself.
QUESTION 3
3 / 4
Which is the closest antonym for the word voracious, as it is used in the article?
reckless
respectful
restless
reluctant
The closest antonym for the word "voracious" in the context of the article would be "reluctant."
QUESTION 4
4 / 4
Read this passage from the article:
…Bridges made it through first grade—even though she was the only student in her classroom the entire year. Her strength and resolve paved the way for others to follow in her footsteps.
The author's purpose for writing this passage was to __________.
explain how Ruby Bridges became a role model when she was very young
persuade the reader that Ruby Bridges' struggles did not last long
explain how Ruby Bridges made so many new friends in first grade
provide the reader with a mental image of Ruby Bridges' footsteps in first grade