Celebrating Dr. Betty Reid Soskin

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we honor women whose stories didn’t just shape history; they challenged it. Betty Reid Soskin was one of those women. A historian, activist, and trailblazer, her early activism during World War II led to her becoming the oldest serving park ranger in the country. Her legacy continues to inspire. 

Born in 1921, Dr. Soskin grew up in a Cajun-Creole, African American family in Oakland, California. As a young woman during World War II, she worked as a file clerk in a segregated union hall and later became one of the country’s first Black record store owners. During this time, she emerged as a powerful community activist.

In the early 2000s, Dr. Soskin began volunteering with the National Park Service, determined to help uncover and share the untold stories of African Americans on the World War II home front. Her commitment and deep personal knowledge led her to accept a temporary position with the Park Service at the age of 84.

When the National Park Service established Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park, they sought rangers who could create meaningful connections with visitors. Dr. Soskin’s lived experience and passion for storytelling made her a natural fit, and in 2007, she officially became a park ranger.

Throughout her career, Dr. Soskin made it her mission to uplift the stories of Black women workers who played critical roles during the war—women who worked as welders, electricians, and laborers in the shipyards while facing discrimination on the job. She also shared her own experiences growing up as a young Black woman during the civil rights movement, helping visitors understand how these communities shaped the East Bay and the nation.

From 2007 until her retirement in March 2022, Dr. Soskin led countless tours, talks, and programs, becoming the oldest serving park ranger in the country. Her presence, wisdom, and honesty left a lasting impact on everyone who heard her speak.

On December 21, 2025, Betty Reid Soskin passed away peacefully at her home in Richmond, California, surrounded by family. Her legacy lives on in the stories she preserved—and in the generations she inspired to listen, learn, and remember.

Banner Photo Credit: Ranger Betty Reid Soskin sits in front of the Rosie the Riveter Visitor Center.

NPS Photo/Luther Bailey

Gallery Photo Credit: NPS