Civil Rights Icon Ruby Bridges Honored by Golden State Warriors

The 71-year-old trailblazer was named an 'Impact Warrior' for Black History Month.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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The Golden State Warriors honored civil rights icon Ruby Bridges, 71, by naming her an 'Impact Warrior' for Black History Month. In 1960, Bridges became the first Black student to attend the previously all-white Williams Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana, walking past angry mobs alongside her mother and four federal marshals, which helped kickstart school desegregation. Bridges now runs the Ruby Bridges Foundation, which empowers children to lead with courage.

Why it matters

Ruby Bridges' historic act of courage as a young girl helped advance the civil rights movement and paved the way for school desegregation across the United States. By honoring her, the Golden State Warriors are recognizing the ongoing importance of her legacy and the continued need to empower the next generation of civil rights leaders.

The details

In 1960, 6-year-old Ruby Bridges became the first Black student to attend the previously all-white Williams Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Louisiana. She walked past angry mobs of white protesters, accompanied by her mother and four federal marshals, to attend the school, helping to kickstart the desegregation of schools in the South. Bridges' act of courage was memorialized in a famous Norman Rockwell painting. Today, Bridges runs the Ruby Bridges Foundation, which works to promote tolerance and create educational opportunities for children.

  • In 1960, Bridges became the first Black student to attend Williams Frantz Elementary School.
  • The Golden State Warriors honored Bridges as an 'Impact Warrior' in February 2026 for Black History Month.

The players

Ruby Bridges

A 71-year-old civil rights icon who, in 1960 at the age of 6, became the first Black student to attend the previously all-white Williams Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana, walking past angry mobs to do so. She now runs the Ruby Bridges Foundation, which empowers children to lead with courage.

Golden State Warriors

The professional basketball team that honored Ruby Bridges as an 'Impact Warrior' for Black History Month in 2026.

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What’s next

The Ruby Bridges Foundation will continue its work to promote tolerance and create educational opportunities for children.

The takeaway

By honoring Ruby Bridges, the Golden State Warriors are recognizing the ongoing importance of her legacy and the continued need to empower the next generation of civil rights leaders.