On February 19, 2023, Martin Elementary School fifth grade teacher Deborah Carlino paid a surprise visit to Barbara Henry, the teacher who in 1960 helped Civil Rights icon Ruby Bridges integrate William Frantz Elementary.
The purpose of the trip was to celebrate African-American History Month and the occasion of the second annual Barbara Henry Courage in Teaching Award.
The visit allowed Carlino to personally thank Mrs. Henry for conferring the inaugural Courage in Teaching Award on her in 2022.
“We want Mrs. Henry to feel celebrated for her contribution to teaching,” Carlino said. “She stood up at a time that our nation needed her most!”
Carlino won the award in 2022 for her efforts in helping Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day become a statewide observance in California.
However, the prevalence of COVID-19 prevented her from receiving the award in person that year.
Starting in the 2017-18 school year, students in Carlino's fifth grade class at Martin Elementary School successively petitioned South San Francisco Unified School District (SSFUSD), the San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE), the City of South San Francisco, the County of San Mateo, and the state of California to set aside a day to commemorate Ruby Bridges.
Carlino said several groups suggested the surprise visit, so that Carlino could meet Mrs. Henry in person.
The Barbara Henry Courage in Teaching Award was created in 2021 and, according to its website, “honors teachers who have invoked change through acts of courage in everyday life.”
Recipients of the award are announced every spring, and teachers around the world may be nominated to receive it.