Lucille Bridges, the mother of civil rights icon Ruby Bridges, has died at the age of 86 on Wednesday, the Associated Press reported . The longtime New Orleans resident is remembered as the woman who encouraged her daughter to become the first Black student at an all-white elementary school in their hometown. Lucille sparked one of the iconic scenes of the civil rights era when she comforted six-year-old Ruby during the historic moment, guiding her daughter through a hostile white crowd while going to school. “Today our country lost a hero. 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 wrote on Instagram. "Our nation lost a Mother of the Civil Rights Movement today. And I lost my mom. I love you and am grateful for you. May you Rest In Peace.” View this post on Instagram Today our country lost a hero. Brave, progressive, a champion for change. She helped alter the course of...
