She didn’t chase the spotlight, yet history seemed to follow her wherever she went. Betty Reid Soskin lived through more than a century of American change, and instead of simply witnessing it, she worked tirelessly to make sure it was remembered honestly. Passing away peacefully at age 104, Betty Reid Soskin left behind a legacy that reached far beyond titles or milestones. Known as the oldest active ranger in the National Park Service at the time of her retirement, she became a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to make a lasting impact—and that telling the full truth of history matters deeply.
Soskin officially retired from the National Park Service in 2022 at the age of 100, but her influence had already reshaped how public history is presented. Remarkably, she began her work with the Park Service in her eighties, bringing lived experience and careful scholarship to the creation of the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park. She helped ensure that the stories of African Americans and other overlooked communities were woven into the broader narrative of World War II. Through her programs and talks, visitors encountered history not as distant facts, but as real lives shaped by resilience, exclusion, and determination.
Born in 1921, Soskin’s life intersected with nearly every defining moment of the twentieth century. Raised in a multicultural family, she experienced segregation firsthand while working during World War II, an experience that informed her lifelong commitment to inclusion and accuracy. In 1945, she co-founded a music store that became a cultural cornerstone in her community, remaining open for decades. Later, she served in local and state government roles, continuing her advocacy for representation and community voices. Across each chapter of her life, she focused on preserving stories that might otherwise fade from memory.
Even in her later years, Soskin remained engaged, thoughtful, and deeply invested in civic life. In 2015, she was honored at a national ceremony attended by President Barack Obama, a moment she described as both humbling and surreal. While her passing marks the end of an extraordinary life, it does not close the chapter on her influence. Plans for a public memorial will be announced, and her family has encouraged supporters to honor her by investing in education and historical storytelling. Betty Reid Soskin didn’t just live through history—she helped correct it, protect it, and pass it forward with integrity.