FEBRUARY 21 UPDATE ~ The Wildlife Center of Virginia’s Red-tailed Hawk has been named RUBY. Yay! For the results and more information on the “Name the Hawk” campaign visit the updated page: Say Hi To Ruby

THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO VOTED FOR RUBY! ~ Jackie

In 1960, Ruby Bridges, a 6-year-old African-American girl was escorted by federal marshals to a white school in New Orleans. Her bravery and willingness to be “the first” helped lead to the desegregation of New Orleans schools.

She was a young girl who became a hero of the civil rights movement. She faced death threats and the shouts of adults who taunted her and tried to break her spirit.

You may remember the Norman Rockwell portrait that immortalized her act that day. Click to learn more about Ruby Bridges: Ruby Bridges, The Civil Rights Pioneer

Here’s how we can honor Ruby Bridges and her bravery. There is a contest going on through February 21 at the Wildlife Center of Virginia – to name their new Red-Tailed Hawk that will become an education animal.

This hawk was hit by a car and, while healed now thanks to the work of the Wildlife Center Vets, it is blind in one eye and unable to be released back to the wild. It will make its permanent home at the Center and will be part of their traveling education program that brings wild animals to local schools as part of education programs about wildlife and the environment.

Last month, local schoolchildren submitted names to be considered and the top 5 names are now being voted on online. Among those names is Ruby, submitted by a first-grade class to honor Ruby Bridges.

Please vote to name the Wildlife Center’s Red-Tailed Hawk RUBY. You may vote online one time.

To learn more about The Wildlife Center’s hawk and the contest, go to Name The Red-Tailed Hawk Page and then click the link to vote.

Help this beautiful raptor remind schoolchildren of the heroism and bravery of young Ruby Bridges whose courage and steadfastness, despite powerful opposition, opened the doors of education to thousands and thousands of young people.

We just have until FEBRUARY 21 to make our voices heard. Please help give Ruby Bridges a wonderful tribute and help bring her message of courage to young people.

Vote to name the Wildlife Center of Virginia’s Red-Tailed Hawk … RUBY!

Thank you!