Betty The National Park Ranger Finally Retires At 100-Years-Old
You may never have heard the name Betty Reid Soskin before, but it’s a name that you will likely remember from now on.
She is 100 years old and is often referred to as “Ranger Betty” in her job at the National Park Service. Up until Recently, Ranger Betty was the oldest active park ranger in the NPS. She has recently decided to retire, and we can certainly understand why because she is 100 years old.
Ranger Betty got her start in the early 2000s when she was 84-years-old. She loved the park and wanted to do what she could to play a part in it. For 16 years, she was a Park Ranger, but now she is ready to retire.
One of the things that Ranger Betty was known for is working along with the park on a special project ‘to uncover untold stories of African-Americans on the Home Front during World War II.’ That research has been shared with her visitors since that time.
According to a NPS press release, the director of the National Park Service, Charles F. “Chuck” Sams, had the following to say about Ranger Betty:
“Betty has made a profound impact on the National Park Service and the way we carry out our mission. Her efforts remind us that we must seek out and give space for all perspectives so that we can tell a more full and inclusive history of our nation.”
There have also been many other benefits to her working with the National Park Service, including how stories are shared about racism and discrimination. A variety of media outlets have offered an opportunity for her to be a mouthpiece for the park and she even was featured in the New York Times.
In 2013, she became well known because of the federal government shutdown. She wanted the lawmakers to put people back to work again and her voice was heard. She also was invited to the White House in 2015 for a tree lighting ceremony.
On her final day, she was at the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park, doing what she did best. She visited with her coworkers and spoke with the public.
Her official retirement was on April 16, 2022.
