Lucille Bridges Award - Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day

Honoring the Legacy of Mrs. Lucille Bridges by Uplifting Young Changemakers

Named for Ruby Bridges’ courageous mother, the Lucille Bridges Award celebrates students who:

Tell the Truth: Confront difficult histories rather than conceal them.
Make a Difference: Take initiatives to improve their schools, neighborhoods, and the world.
Engage in Activism: Champion social justice through sustained, positive action.

Each year, the Ruby Bridges Foundation awards one outstanding student (this inaugural year, two!) with a $5,000 award to support their next steps as a leader and advocate.

Brave, progressive, a champion for change. She helped alter the course of so many lives by setting me out on my path as a six year old little girl.
Ruby Bridges

This Year's Award Recipients

Madeline Popielak – $5,000

When Madeline Popielak was a 5th grader at Martin Elementary, while reading during Black History Month, she asked her teacher if there was a day honoring Ruby Bridges. When her teacher, Mrs. Carlino, replied no, Maddie's activism began. Alongside her classmates, they began to collect signatures and attend multiple board meetings to get the holiday known. With her determination together with several 5th grade classes that followed, November 14, Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, was born. This past year, over 700,000 kids across the country participated in this Day of Dialogue, and the movement continues to grow. Madeline is now graduating from South San Francisco High School and plans to attend California Lutheran College and study Technical Theater. Her hopes are to one day make Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day a worldwide holiday.

Orion Jean – $5,000

Orion Jean is a 14 year-old rising 10th grader from Mansfield, TX. After winning a national kindness speech contest at the age of 9, he used his prize money to start the “Race to Kindness” campaign, a series of events focused on spreading kindness to others. His pursuit of kindness is fueled by this simple mantra: “If you see a problem, fix it.” He is the author of A Kids Book About Leadership, and a children’s picture book, Race to Kindness. He is also a public speaker who shares his message about kindness in speeches across the country.

How to Apply / Eligibility

Students who wish to be considered for next year’s Lucille Bridges Award must meet both criteria.

Participate in the Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day on November 14 with their school or community group.
Demonstrate changemaking as nominated by their school’s teacher, counselor, administrator or other community representative.

Award: One student will receive a $5,000 award. The awardee will be announced after Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day.

Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day Registration

To be eligible for the Lucille Bridges Award, schools must register for Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day before November 14. Sign up today!

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