Started Working at 84, Served Until 101
A Role Model Who Embodied the Greatness of Ordinary Life
The "Grandmother of the Nation," who showed that an ordinary life can become great history, has passed away. Betty Reid Soskin, who was recognized as the oldest park ranger in the US National Park Service, died at the age of 104.
In 2016, at the age of 94, this is a photo of him working as a temporary cultural heritage interpreter at the World War II National Historical Park. Photo by AP Yonhap News
On December 21 (local time), The New York Times reported that Soskin, who personally experienced modern American history, passed away at her home in Richmond, California. Soskin was born in 1921 to a poor Black family in New Orleans, Louisiana. At the age of six, she left her hometown due to a major flood and moved to Richmond, California. In her youth, she worked in a munitions factory during World War II, experiencing the wartime system firsthand. Later, she led an ordinary life, running a Black music record store and working as a legislative aide in local government.
Her life began to attract attention at an age when many consider retirement. In 2005, at 84, Soskin started working as a temporary cultural heritage interpreter at the Rosie the Riveter World War II National Historical Park. At that time, she delivered vivid oral accounts of the lives of women and people of color who worked in munitions factories in place of men who had gone to war, leaving a significant impact.
At the age of ninety, Soskin became a full-time park ranger and continued her interpretations at the visitor center in a quiet yet clear voice. Her stories were the "history of ordinary people" not found in textbooks. In particular, she was recognized for expanding the historical significance of the park by directly testifying to the discrimination and dedication experienced by Black women workers.
During the 2013 federal government shutdown, she drew media attention as the "oldest active government employee," and her statement, "I want to share my experiences with more people," became a symbolic moment highlighting the need to resolve the shutdown. In 2015, she introduced then-President Barack Obama at the White House Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
Around April 2022, Soskin continued his activities until retiring from active duty at the age of 101. Photo by AP Yonhap News
The National Park Service created a special stamp to celebrate her 100th birthday, and in 2021, her unprecedented achievement of turning 100 as an active park ranger was celebrated nationwide. Around April 2022, Soskin continued her work until retiring from active duty at the age of 101. In her obituary, The New York Times wrote, "She began working at eighty-five and educated others about the lives of women and people of color who quietly dedicated themselves during World War II," adding, "Her own life was included in those stories."
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