The nation’s oldest active national park ranger retired at 100 years of age on Thursday.
After more than a decade, Betty Reid Soskin spent her last day at Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park, providing an “interpretive program” to visitors and checking in with coworkers.
Berry Reid Soskin started to work for the National Park Service at 84-years-old to tell the untold stories of Black people’s efforts during World War Two.
“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,” said Soskin. 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. It has proven to bring meaning to my final years,” she continued.
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In a touching Instagram post, the National Park Service shared a heartfelt farewell message to Betty.
The post read in part, “Happy Retirement, Betty! Betty Reid Soskin, the oldest active ranger in the National Park Service, retired today after a remarkable career. Soskin, who celebrated her 100th birthday in 2021, spent the last decade and a half sharing her personal experiences and the efforts of women from diverse backgrounds who worked on the World War II home front. Her interpretive programs at @rosietheriveternps also illuminated the histories of African Americans and other people of color, and her efforts demonstrate how her work has impacted the way the NPS conveys such history to audiences across the United States… We are grateful for Betty’s lifelong dedication to sharing her story and wish her all the best in retirement!”
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Learn more about Betty’s story and her incredible life here.
