Betty Reid Soskin: The Historian Who Refused
A Life of Purpose
“She never sought fame, yet history consistently found its way to her.”
Betty Reid Soskin, who died at 104, became widely known as the oldest active National Park Service ranger,
proving that “meaningful work has no expiration date.”
Reframing History
Soskin joined the National Park Service in her eighties,
helping shape the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park.
Her work focused on “ensuring that the contributions and struggles of African Americans
and other marginalized communities were not pushed aside.”
A Lifelong Commitment
Born in 1921, Soskin lived through segregation, World War II, and major social change.
Across careers in business, music, and government, she remained dedicated to
“protecting stories that risked being erased and amplifying voices too often left unheard.”
Enduring Legacy
As her story concludes, one truth remains:
“She didn’t simply witness history—she helped correct it, safeguard it, and pass it on with clarity and courage.”
