Not all heroes wear capes.
Some wear ranger uniforms, carrying stories that history tried to overlook. Some lives are quietly revolutionary, leaving ripples that stretch far beyond the spotlight. And sometimes, it takes more than a century for the world to fully appreciate the magnitude of courage, conviction, and service.
With profound respect, we honor the passing of Betty Reid Soskin, a trailblazer whose life embodied purpose, resilience, and relentless truth-telling. She passed away on December 21, 2025, at the remarkable age of 104, leaving a legacy that will echo for generations.
Until her retirement in 2022 at the age of 100, Soskin was the oldest active ranger in the National Park Service—a living testament not only to longevity but to a life devoted to illuminating overlooked histories.
Surrounded by family, she departed this world having lived fully, intentionally, and with unwavering dedication. Her family reflected that she “led a fully packed life and was ready to leave.”
Soskin’s impact extended far beyond the ranger uniform. She was a civil rights activist, historian, and storyteller, dedicated to ensuring marginalized voices were seen and heard. Her advocacy transformed the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, bringing African American experiences to the forefront and redefining how visitors understood the nation’s past.
Remarkably, Soskin began her work with the Park Service at age 84. Through a PG&E-funded grant, she uncovered stories of Black Americans’ contributions during the WWII home front, captivating visitors with her mastery of narrative. Her talent and commitment earned her both temporary and permanent roles with the NPS, educating generations about courage, sacrifice, and history often left untold.
Born Betty Charbonnet in Detroit in 1921 and raised in a Cajun-Creole African American family, her life traversed nearly every pivotal moment of modern American history: the Great Flood of 1927, Amelia Earhart’s final flight, and the 1944 Port Chicago disaster. During WWII, she worked as a file clerk in a segregated union hall, later co-founding Reid’s Records with her husband—one of the nation’s first Black-owned music stores—a cornerstone of her community for over seven decades.
Her service extended into local and state government, working with the Berkeley city council and as a field representative for California legislators, consistently advocating for equity, inclusion, and truth.
Among the crowning moments of her life was her 2015 invitation by President Barack Obama to light the National Christmas Tree, a gesture that left her both humbled and elated. Even in her later years, Soskin remained politically engaged, observing civil rights progress with keen insight and concern for the nation’s direction.
Betty Reid Soskin passed peacefully at her Richmond home, surrounded by family. In her honor, her family encourages memorial contributions to the Betty Reid Soskin Middle School or her documentary, Sign My Name to Freedom, ensuring her mission of education and empowerment endures.
Conclusion
Betty Reid Soskin’s life was a testament to courage, advocacy, and the enduring power of storytelling. From her beginnings in the segregated South to becoming the oldest National Park Service ranger, she dedicated over a century to challenging injustice, celebrating overlooked voices, and shaping the nation’s memory. Her legacy lives on in the stories she preserved, the lives she touched, and the generations inspired to carry forward the work of truth, equity, and remembrance.