Key Takeaways
- Betty Reid Soskin, the National Park Service’s oldest active ranger, has passed away at the age of 104
- Soskin served as a ranger at Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, California, from 2011 to 2022
- She played a key role in educating visitors on the work of Black Americans on the home front during World War II
- Soskin was a trailblazer and a local celebrity, and her legacy will live on through the Betty Reid Soskin Middle School in El Sobrante, California
- She published a memoir, "Sign My Name to Freedom: A Memoir of a Pioneering Life," in 2018, and a documentary on her life was in the works at the time of her passing
Introduction to Betty Reid Soskin’s Life and Legacy
Betty Reid Soskin, who was the National Park Service’s oldest active ranger when she retired at the age of 100, has died. She was 104. Soskin passed away peacefully at her home in Richmond, California, on Sunday, according to a statement from her family. The National Park Service (NPS) paid tribute to Soskin, writing "Thank you for your service, Ranger Betty" in a social media post marking her death. Soskin’s life was a testament to her dedication to public service and her passion for sharing the stories of Black Americans who played a crucial role in the home front during World War II.
Soskin’s Career as a National Park Ranger
Soskin became a NPS ranger in later life, serving full-time at Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond from 2011 to 2022. During her time as a ranger, she played a key role in educating visitors on the work of Black Americans on the home front during World War II. Her presentations were highly sought after, with waiting lists to hear her share her perspective on the history of the time. According to her son, Bob Reid, Soskin’s work as a ranger was "her opportunity to tell her story," and it was "probably the heart of her work." Reid described his mother as a "trailblazer," and her experiences during World War II, including working as a file clerk in a segregated union hall, allowed her to bring a unique perspective to her duties.
Soskin’s Early Life and Career
Soskin grew up in Oakland, California, and worked as a file clerk in a segregated union hall during World War II, according to the NPS. Her early life experiences had a profound impact on her later work as a ranger. Soskin’s life was "multifaceted," according to Reid, and she and her husband founded one of the first Black-owned music stores in California, Reid’s Records. She also spent time as an office worker and political staffer, including working as a field representative for a California state assembly member. This role brought her to meetings where the management plan for the park where she would later work was developed, and it was during this time that the NPS saw her as a valuable resource in building the park.
Soskin’s Legacy and Impact
Soskin’s time as a ranger made her a local celebrity, and she eventually caught the eye of the White House. She introduced then-President Barack Obama at a tree-lighting ceremony in 2016, where Obama gave her the presidential coin. Soskin’s namesake will live on through the Betty Reid Soskin Middle School in El Sobrante, California. The school called Soskin a "national treasure" in a statement after her death, and said her "legacy of resilience, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to justice will forever inspire our community." Soskin published the book "Sign My Name to Freedom: A Memoir of a Pioneering Life" in 2018, and a documentary on her life was in the works at the time of her passing.
Conclusion and Reflection
Betty Reid Soskin’s life was a testament to her dedication to public service and her passion for sharing the stories of Black Americans who played a crucial role in the home front during World War II. Her legacy will live on through the countless lives she touched during her time as a ranger, and her story will continue to inspire future generations. As the National Park Service said in their tribute to Soskin, "Thank you for your service, Ranger Betty." Her service to the nation and to the community will never be forgotten, and her memory will continue to inspire us all to work towards a more just and equitable society.
