Born on September 22, 1921, Soskin’s family moved to the wartime boomtown of Richmond, California. As a young woman she worked as a file clerk for Boilermakers Union A-36 during World War II. After the war, she and her husband founded Reid’s Records, a beloved institution that operated for 75 years.
In the early 2000’s Betty began working with her local government and the National Park Service helping develop plans for the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park. Well into her 80’s, Ranger Betty was instrumental in telling the whole story of 1940’s home-front efforts to include women of color.
After a remarkable tenure of more than 15 years leading public programs and sharing personal stories at the park visitor center, Betty Reid Soskin, the oldest active ranger of the National Park Service, retired in 2022, at the age of 100.
She released her memoir, Sign My Name to Freedom, in February 2018. “To be a part of marking the place where the dramatic trajectory of my own life intersects with others of my generation, leaving footprints that will influence the future, has been incredible.”
