Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PROVO — The first African-American to ever attend a desegregated school will speak at Brigham Young University Nov. 19.
Ruby Bridges started at the New Orleans school as a first-grade student and appears in Norman Rockwell's painting, "The Problem We All Live With," according to the BYU Museum of Art website.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People invited the young girl to attend the school due to her high test scores. Protesters yelled at Bridges as she entered the school, according to the BYU Museum of Art.
Bridges' lecture will take place in conjunction with the Nov. 20 opening of a Norman Rockwell exhibit at the BYU Museum of Art. The free exhibit will remain open through Feb. 13, according to marketing and public relations manager Kylie Brooks.
Following her address, Bridges will sign her books "Through My Eyes" and "Ruby Bridges Goes to School" in addition to Robert Coles' "The Story of Ruby Bridges." These books will be for sale in the Museum of Art store.
Bridges will speak in the BYU Museum of Art, but audiences can also hear her story in the overflows in the BYU Museum of Art auditorium, the Jesse Knight Building and another location that is yet to be determined.
Doors will open at 6 p.m., and Bridges will address the audience at 7 p.m.
Brooks said they are really excited Bridges is coming to speak at the university.
This event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required, but Brooks said they encourage people to come early, since they expect a big crowd.
