NEW ORLEANS — The city of New Orleans recently celebrated the 64th anniversary of a pivotal moment in its history when four young Black girls, aged six, integrated local schools. The event was marked by a vibrant parade, showcasing a spirit of resilience and joy, in sharp contrast to the hostility and unrest faced on November 14, 1960.

On that fateful day, federal marshals were called upon to safely escort Tessie Prevost Williams, Leona Tate, Gail Etienne, and Ruby Bridges to their respective schools amidst a backdrop of angry white mobs. These groups hurled insults and even rocks at the young girls as they attempted to attend school. Williams, who passed away in July, entered McDonogh No. 19 Elementary School alongside Tate and Etienne, while Bridges—often recognized through a famous painting by Norman Rockwell—courageously navigated the chaos to integrate William Frantz Elementary.

Today, the four are collectively known as the New Orleans Four. Diedra Meredith of the New Orleans Legacy Project, which organized the celebration, referred to them as “America’s little soldier girls,” acknowledging their vital role as civil rights pioneers beginning at just six years old.

Reflecting on that tumultuous time, Etienne shared her youthful confusion about the adults’ rage directed at her. “I was just going to school, and I felt like if they could get to me they’d want to kill me — and I definitely didn’t know why at 6 years old,” she recalled.

The parade featured lively marching bands parading through the Central Business District, drawing attention from onlookers, including workers from nearby eateries and curious tourists. “We were thrilled to come upon it,” said Sandy Waugh, visiting from Chestertown, Maryland. “It’s so New Orleans.”

Rosie Bell, a social worker from Toronto, Ontario, described the parade as a delightful surprise that brightened her day. “I got so lucky to see this,” she expressed.

For Etienne, the parade served as a reminder of the significance of the milestones they achieved together so many years ago, an understanding that came with time. “What we did opened doors for other people, you know, for other students, for other Black students,” she reflected. “At that time, I didn’t realize it, but as I got older, I came to appreciate our impact. They said we rocked the nation for what we accomplished. And I like hearing when they say that.”