Civil rights pioneer Ruby Bridges visited the Bay area Tuesday to discuss a painting she inspired.
The Norman Rockwell painting is called The Problem We all Live With. It's on display at the Tampa Museum of Art.
The picture depicts the racial tension as a 6-year-old black girl integrates an elementary school in New Orleans. Ruby Bridges was that student.
"I see that image and I remember what that was like the day I walked up those stairs," Bridges said. "I remember that day that I thought I was caught in a parade, but that was the innocence of a child."
In reality, Bridges said parents were rushing to take their children out of the school. Overtime, she realized it was because of the color of her skin.
"They seemed really angry, they were shouting and throwing things," Bridges said.
But not everyone was angry.
"The teacher that greeted me every day, she looked exactly like the people outside at the school but she wasn't like them at all," Bridges said. "She showed me her heart."
Bridges said she's reminded of that year when looking at the Norman Rockwell painting. She said she's very proud of the image.
"To me, it symbolizes the sacrifices my parents made and so many others for us as African Americans to be educated like everyone else in this country," Bridges said.
Bridges discussed the painting and her story with a sold-out crowd at Tampa Museum of Art Tuesday.