America's Oldest National Park Ranger Bids Farewell at 100
Betty Reid Soskin retired in 2011, joining the National Park Service (NPS) as a full-time ranger. This move marked a new chapter in her life, a role she would hold for over a decade. Her assignments took her to the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park, located in Richmond, California. The park's mission was to celebrate the contributions and experiences of American civilians during World War II at home.
"It's truly incredible to be part of marking a place that my own journey and that of my generation will leave an indelible impact on the future through the footprints we leave behind," Soskin shared with NPS. Remarkable!
During her tenure as a park ranger, Soskin worked with visitors on public programs, sharing her personal WWII stories. She also championed the overlooked stories of African Americans and other minorities during the war. Soskin's roles as a park ranger and an advocate for inclusion were passionately fulfilling.
"Being the primary source for this story (my story) and the shaping of a new National Park was both exhilarating and inspiring. It proved significant for my latter years," Soskin shared. "And here lies its importance."
NPS honored Soskin's service on Instagram, acknowledging her lifelong commitment, sharing her story, and wishing her well in retirement.
Soskin's path to the NPS was not conventional. She was raised in a Cajun-Creole African American family in Oakland, California, and worked as a filing clerk for a segregationist union during WWII. Later, she co-founded one of the first black organizations and ran a music store, Reid's Records, with her husband.
Eventually, Soskin reached out to the NPS in her 80s, sharing her story, and caught the attention of the White House. She even had the opportunity to introduce President Barack Obama during the White House lighting ceremony in 2015.
Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park celebrated Soskin's retirement on April 16th.
"She shares the story of her life during the homefront and draws significance from those experiences to truly make this story relevant for us today," Rosie the Riveter/Naomi, the acting Ranger of the Home Front National Historical Park of WWII, Naomi Torres shared with NPS.
Emanuella Grinberg from CNN contributed to this story.
As she entered retirement, Soskin's music store, Reid's Records, was sold, allowing her to focus on her golden years and world travels.
In retirement, Soskin planned to share her WWII experiences with visitors beyond the park, traveling around the world to broaden her reach.
Sources:
Betty Reid Soskin's remarkable career as America's oldest National Park Ranger was noteworthy for several reasons:
- Pioneering Role: At 85, Soskin became the oldest National Park Ranger in U.S. history when she joined the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park, representing a milestone in her dedication and commitment to preserving history and serving her community.
- Park Creation: Soskin played a significant role in the creation of the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park, focusing on diverse stories and experiences from WWII, such as those of African American women and Japanese Americans.
- Community Engagement: Soskin dedicated her efforts to engaging with the community, particularly young people of color, using her position as a park ranger to inspire and introduce them to potential career paths.
- Inclusive Representation: Soskin's commitment to including diverse stories and experiences helped create a comprehensive narrative about WWII, ensuring the park represented the complexities of American history faithfully.
- Legacy and Impact: Soskin's legacy transcends her role as a park ranger, inspiring new generations of park rangers and historians to preserve underrepresented communities' stories. By promoting inclusivity and historical accuracy, she continues to contribute to the national discourse on history.
