Betty Reid Soskin, the oldest active National Park Service ranger, retired Thursday following more than 15 years sharing stories of her life and those of other working women during World War II at Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historic Park in Richmond.
Soskin, who turned 100 years old in September, provided an interpretive program to park visitors Thursday and visited with co-workers. A public celebration for her is scheduled for April 16.
Soskin’s work as a ranger has influenced the way the park service across the U.S. conveys history.
“To be a part of helping to mark the place where that dramatic trajectory of my own life, combined with others of my generation, will influence the future by the footprints we’ve left behind has been incredible,” Soskin said in a statement.
Soskin worked as a file clerk in a segregated Union hall during World War II. Later, she and her husband Mel Reid founded a record store called Reid’s Records, which closed in 2019.
Soskin became a permanent National Park Service employee in 2011. Since then, she has led public programs and recounted her memories and thoughts at the park visitor center.
“Betty has made a profound impact on the National Park Service and the way we carry out our mission,” said NPS Director Chuck Sams in a statement. “Her efforts remind us that we must seek out and give space for all perspectives so that we can tell a more full and inclusive history of our nation.”
Soskin participated in meetings with the National Park Service and the city of Richmond to prepare the general management plan for Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park.
She worked on a park service grant to tell yet untold stories of Black Americans who worked in the U.S. during the war. That led to a temporary job with the park service when she was 84 years old.
“Being a primary source in the sharing of that history – my history – and giving shape to a new national park has been exciting and fulfilling,” Soskin said. “It has proven to bring meaning to my final years.”
Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park was established in 2000.
“The National Park Service is grateful to Ranger Betty for sharing her thoughts and first-person accounts in ways that span across generations,” said Naomi Torres, acting superintendent of Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park, in a statement.
“She has used stories of her life on the Home Front, drawing meaning from those experiences in ways that make that history truly impactful for those of us living today,” Torres said.
A free ceremony to recognize Soskin has been scheduled for Saturday, April 16 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Craneway Pavilion at 1414 Harbour Way South in Richmond. All ages are invited, and reservations are not required.
The public can get more information by calling (510) 232-5050 ext. 0 or at www.nps.gov/RORI.
She is a national treasure. A well deserved retirement!
Amazing individual. My Niece Katie with the National Park Service knows her. Now that’s a Retirement!
And the last time I visited there when she was on duty, no way was she about to stand there at the greeting table by the door. She turned that job over to a younger person and chuckled to us, “There’s something new down in the basement. Let’s go!”
She solid knew the history, and she is such a pleasant person through and through. I wish her a happy and gentle path ongoing.
#Ojisan
Bravo to the experience and wisdom of seniors who have ‘been there and have the tee shirt’.
CONGRATULATIONS BETTY!
Betty is a treasure.
Like the conversation on Whatever…. It reminds us old folks to talk to our youngin’s about family stories and history b4 it’s too late.
One of my grandmothers was so good about writing notes put with family keepsakes…. I’m doing the same. It’s a task, but actually a lot of fun.
I wish Betty a wonderful retirement !
CONGRATULATIONS Ms Betty. Enjoy your well deserved retirement
Happy retirement. Thank you for your service and being an inspiration to so many.
Yes she is an inspiration and role model especially for those who feel old in their sixties, and feel life is over. She should enjoy her retirement, but l think it’s a given she enjoyed her work. I read other comments on the internet, someone wrote she should have been fired years ago. Really, she obviously could do her job. I’m in my seventies and work part time l have co workers on their sixties and seventies. Guess who calls out or simply don’t show up most often? The younger workers 18 to early twenties, they don’t have family, couple of the seem to not show up at least once a week more