She was a quiet but powerful force in American history, someone whose life bridged generations and reshaped how the nation understands its past. Betty Reid Soskin, the oldest serving ranger in the National Park Service at the time of her retirement, passed away peacefully at the age of 104. Her family shared that she left this world fulfilled and surrounded by love, leaving behind a legacy rooted in service, education, and truth.
Soskin officially retired from the National Park Service in 2022 at age 100, yet her impact extended far beyond her years in uniform. Remarkably, she did not begin working with the Park Service until her eighties. She played a key role in shaping the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park, ensuring that the stories of African Americans and other overlooked communities were included in the narrative of World War II. Through her programs, visitors encountered a more complete and honest account of the American home front.
Born in 1921, Soskin lived through nearly every major chapter of modern U.S. history. During World War II, she worked in a segregated labor environment, an experience that shaped her lifelong commitment to fairness and inclusion. In 1945, she co-founded a music store that became a lasting cultural landmark, and later served in local and state government roles, continuing her advocacy for representation and community engagement.
Even in her later years, Soskin remained deeply engaged, emphasizing the importance of historical awareness. Honored nationally in 2015, she once said the moment felt humbling and surreal. Though her passing marks the end of an extraordinary life, her influence endures. Betty Reid Soskin did more than witness history—she helped preserve it with integrity and purpose, inspiring generations to come.