UPDATE: Betty Reid Soskin, the nation’s oldest active park ranger, has died at the age of 104. She passed away at her home in Richmond, California, on October 15, 2025, according to a heartfelt announcement from her son, Bob Reid.
Her remarkable life spanned numerous roles, including musician, author, civil rights activist, and even a record store owner. Soskin was a trailblazer, serving as a park ranger for the National Park Service from the age of 85 until her retirement at 100 in 2022.
During her tenure, she passionately led tours at the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park, educating visitors about the contributions of women during the war. Soskin’s life story is deeply intertwined with significant historical events; she was born Betty Charbonnet in 1921 in Detroit and experienced the devastating Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 as a child living with her Creole family in New Orleans.
In 1942, she briefly worked for the U.S. Air Force but left after discovering that her employment was predicated on her superiors’ mistaken belief that she was white. Her legacy also includes founding one of the first Black-owned record stores in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1945 and her continuous activism for civil rights.
Soskin received numerous accolades throughout her life, including being named California Woman of the Year in 1995 and receiving a presidential coin from Barack Obama in 2015 after lighting the National Christmas tree at the White House. Her resilience shone through when, following a violent robbery in June 2016, she recovered swiftly and returned to her duties just weeks later.
In 2018, she was honored again when Glamour Magazine named her Woman of the Year. Soskin’s legacy extends beyond accolades; she passionately advocated for her community and the recognition of women’s contributions to history.
As the nation mourns her loss, Betty Reid Soskin’s inspiring journey serves as a powerful reminder of perseverance, activism, and the importance of inclusivity in American history. Her impact will be felt for generations to come.
Details about memorial services and tributes are expected to be announced in the coming days as the community reflects on her extraordinary life and contributions.
