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Betty Soskin has accomplished a lot over the course of her life.

She's been a published author, a songwriter/activist during the civil rights movement and a businesswoman and now serves with the

 — holding the title as the country's oldest ranger.

Now, Soskin can add yet another milestone to her story: turning 100.

Soskin was born in Detroit on Sept. 22, 1921. She currently works as a ranger at the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, Calif. 

Growing up in a family with Cajun-Creole roots, Soskin and her relatives migrated to the West Coast, eventually settling down in Oakland, Calif., after the Great Mississippi Flood 

She had a love-hate relationship with Rosie the Riveter

Soskin's career with the National Park Service began in 2000 after she attended a presentation on a plan to create the 

Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park

At the time, then-superintendent of NPS, Judy Hart, recalls being surprised to hear Soskin proclaim "a love-hate relationship with Rosie," NPS wrote in an 

Soskin said never saw herself as a "Rosie the Riveter." 

"That really is a white woman's story," Soskin 

Soskin told NPS that she knew firsthand the stories of women who worked in wartime industry including their experiences battling racism, segregation and discrimination.

Despite her mixed feelings on Rosie, Soskin began working with the Park Service on a grant to help tell untold stories of Black Americans and the home front during WWII, according to NPS. 

The grant experience ultimately led Soskin to a temporary position with the Park Service at the age of 84. 

Four years later in 2004, Soskin officially became a park ranger.

As a ranger, Soskin continues to leave a lasting impact on those around her — being honored for her years of dedication and service.

 it will be giving out limited edition ink and virtual stamps honoring Soskin.

"Over the past decade and a half, Ranger Betty has shared her experiences as well as the efforts and sacrifices of women from diverse backgrounds living and working on the World War II home front," NPS said in an 

She's already received a presidential commemorative coin from then-President Barack Obama at the 2015 National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. A year later, she was honored with an entry in the 

But her place her achievements may have their longest impact is at a Bay Area middle school 

in her honor: The Betty Reid Soskin Middle School.

"Having a school named for me is more than I ever thought of because it means that a number of children will go into the world knowing who I was and what I was doing here," Soskin said in an interview with 

Politics and Government News

Jonathan Franklin

Author

Betty Soskin's career with the National Park Service began in 2000 after attending a presentation on a plan to create the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, Calif.

At 100, the National Park Service's oldest active ranger is still going strong

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