She walked along the sidewalk that 14^th day of November 1960, six years old, surrounded by federal marshals just to be safe while enrolling in elementary school in Louisiana. Racial slurs were painted on the concrete wall behind her along with the dripping red of splashed tomatoes. Ruby Bridges symbolized the racial tensions of the early 1960s.

The famed painter Norman Rockwell immortalized the day with a painting depicting her walk with a semi-obscured slur in graffiti on the wall behind her. The title was “The Problem we All Live With.” It was a two page centerfold in Look Magazine in 1964. Rockwell’s painting made many feel uncomfortable when it arrived in mailboxes, which was exactly the point he intended through his brushes and paint. But it was a problem America needed to address if it was to fulfill its promise of equality for all.

Today in Federal Court, U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken made it clear that America still has a long road ahead to fulfill that promise. In a strong rebuke, Aiken chastised a lawyer for the Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments for firing Beth Schmidt, the former Safe Routes to Schools Coordinator, who embraced her responsibility to honor Ruby Bridges during a walk to school event for Salem-Keizer students last fall. Aiken also strongly suggested they had better start talking settlement terms with Schmidt.

Schmidt, who has been unable to find a job since she was fired despite the praise and awards she received as the coordinator, filed a federal lawsuit claiming her First Amendment rights had been violated. The reason for her firing? She wore a shirt depicting Rockwell’s painting under her jacket at a meeting with about a half dozen employees who were planning the Ruby Bridges event. No children were present.

She wore Ruby Bridges earrings and Ruby’s favorite color, purple. It was the same ensemble she wore to testify before the Oregon State Legislature six months earlier on a bill to declare the Official Ruby Bridges Day in Oregon. She was joined by Sen. James Manning (D-Eugene) and Rep. Travis Nelson (D-Portland) along with Sen. Deb Patterson (D-Salem) in strong support.

Rep. Christine Drazan (R-Canby) recounted her own experience with her daughter who, when she was 11, was beginning to explore the civil rights issue. They retraced the path of the “Little Rock Nine” in Arkansas, and Drazan said it made a big impression on them both to see what kids went through during the days of segregation, and how Ruby Bridges later played a huge role in bringing to an end.

The bill passed overwhelmingly and was signed into law by Gov. Tina Kotek. The attorney representing the government body admitted he had not even read the law. Judge Aiken read it for him-in its entirety.

Six months later, the woman who championed the cause before a grateful legislature was gone. A few of the employees at the planning meeting had filed a complaint against Schmidt, saying that the image of Rockwell’s painting on her T-shirt under her jacket made them uncomfortable. It had the same effect on many other Americans 60 years ago. The response was to fire Schmidt rather than confront the issue that inspired the whole Ruby Bridges Day event in the first place. Fired for a painting that was once displayed in the White House as a reminder that America still struggles with race.

Two days after the firing, I contacted three of the board members of the Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments, all elected officials, and none said they were told of the action that was to be taken in advance or even knew of it despite its obvious public ramifications. No one intervened.

Today Schmidt says her prayers have been answered and vindicated for standing up for what she felt was right.

“I am so happy and thankful to all the people who have supported me,” Schmidt said. “I have received unbelievable support from Ruby Bridges herself and am inspired by her uplifting words to me. To think of the trauma she endured back then and how she felt what happened to me was such a slap in the face to her, and the compassion she has shown to me. I am so grateful.”

Schmidt’s attorney Lake Perriguey said today:

“This was an example of trying to sanitize events in history to make it seem less significant than they actually were.”

Schmidt’s old job as coordinator for Safe Routes to Schools and Ruby Bridges Day coordinator has already been given to someone else. But perhaps opportunity could blossom elsewhere.

Earlier in her career Schmidt served a stint as staff in the California State Legislature. If a current legislator is looking for an experienced and dedicated staffer for the upcoming session, I think I know someone you may want to talk to.