There are countless Black Americans who made their mark on history. Did you know that some of these incredible people 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 bold young people who made history.
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. Until 1954, many states required Black and White students to go to separate schools. Then a law was passed to end school segregation. But not all cities followed the new law, including Bridges' hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana. Its schools didn't make the change until a court ordered them to do so.
Many White people were upset about it, and they made things very difficult for Bridges. Every day, angry crowds shouted at her as she walked into the building. Many families removed their kids from the school. Still, Bridges' strength and determination paved the way for others to follow in her footsteps.
Bridges went on to fight against racism. In 1999, she started the Ruby Bridges Foundation to create change through education.
Video credit: National Archives
Video Transcript: Ruby Bridges
A Young Civil Rights Leader
Freeman Hrabowski took his own courageous steps, too. He walked in a march for justice in Birmingham, Alabama. Hrabowski was 12 years old when he heard about plans for a "children's crusade," which was a kids' march to end school segregation. He was a talented student who 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 on a march for equality. The march upset many people. The Birmingham police tried to stop the protests with force, but Hrabowski stood strong. Later in life, he remembered what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said that day. King told the marchers that their brave stand would affect future generations of kids.
But Hrabowski's efforts didn't end there! After working as a math professor, he became president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Throughout his life, Hrabowski helped many students achieve.
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 amazing kids are following the path paved by Bridges and Hrabowski. And they're using the internet to spread their message. One of these kids is Marley Dias. An eager reader, she wanted to see more people like herself in books.
Dias said she was frustrated by the lack of diversity in the books she was reading. When asked what she wanted to change, Dias came up with the idea for a book drive. Only 11 years old at the time, Dias launched #1000BlackGirlBooks in November 2015. Her goal was to collect and then give away 1,000 books showing a Black girl as the main character.
The project really took off. Pretty soon, news media 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. 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.
What changes would you like to see in the world? How would you spread your message?
Based on the article, which is true about Freeman Hrabowski?
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 work with Dr. King.
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 work with Michelle Obama.
Hrabowski marched for justice when he was a kid and grew up to become a professor.
Think about the article. Why did Marley Dias set a goal to collect and give away books?
She wanted to start her own library to loan out books about Black girls.
She was frustrated by the lack of books available at her neighborhood library.
She wanted to meet the former First Lady Michelle Obama.
She was frustrated by the lack of books that had characters like herself.
She was frustrated by the lack of books that had characters like herself.
Which is the closest synonym for the word former, as it is used in the article?
earlier
present
current
future
earlier
Read this passage from the article:
Every day, angry crowds shouted at [Bridges] as she walked into the building. Many families removed their kids from the school. Still, Bridges' strength and determination paved the way for others to follow in her footsteps.
The author's purpose for writing this passage was to __________.
help the reader picture Ruby Bridges' footsteps in first grade
persuade the reader that Ruby Bridges' struggles did not last long
explain how Ruby Bridges became a role model when she was very young
explain how Ruby Bridges made so many new friends in first grade