Ruby Bridges, known for her role in the desegregation of public schools, will speak at the University of Chicago's 35th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Celebration on January 29. The event will take place at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel and is open to the public.

Bridges became a civil rights icon at age six when she integrated William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans in 1960, facing significant opposition and hostility. Her story has been immortalized in various media and continues to inspire many.

The evening will include remarks from UChicago President Paul Alivisatos and performances by Uniting Voices Chicago. Vice Provost Waldo E. Johnson, Jr., expressed honor in welcoming Bridges, noting her "lifelong pursuit of ensuring equal access to educational opportunity."

Bridges' experience as the first Black student at an all-white school came shortly after the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision. Despite challenges, including death threats and being the only student in her class for a year, she attended school daily.

Her journey has been captured in Norman Rockwell’s painting "The Problem We All Live With" and through her foundation promoting tolerance through education. She has authored several books aimed at young readers and received numerous awards for her contributions.

In addition to Bridges' talk, UChicago will host other events honoring Dr. King, including a community service day on January 20 and a reading of King's texts on January 21.

Guests are encouraged to register for tickets through UChicago’s MLK Commemoration Celebration website.