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The chatter within the small, packed theater quickly subsides as Betty Reid Soskin walks into the room. She commands the crowd’s attention.

Her forest green uniform is tidy, her badge and nameplate are in order, and her tie is neatly tucked under her jacket. She slowly makes her way to the front of the theater with confidence and pride.

“This is the most important work of my life,” Soskin says on her 97th birthday. “I’m using all the things that I’ve ever learned, right now, here in this role.”

Back to Gallery Richmond ranger, 97, proud to repeat history of women’s... 9 1 of 9 Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle 2018 2 of 9 Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle 3 of 9 Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle 4 of 9 Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle 5 of 9 Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle 6 of 9 Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle 7 of 9 Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle 8 of 9 Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle 9 of 9 Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

















Soskin is the nation’s oldest active park ranger for the National Park Service. She’s assigned to the Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond.

“I see myself when I look at the exhibit,” says Soskin, who also took part in the planning process and ensured that the three-floor park was inclusive of African American history. “My fingerprints are all over the park.”

For 14 years as an interpretive park ranger, she has educated thousands of visitors on her experience as a young black woman working in Richmond during World War II.

Soskin worked as a clerk in a Jim Crow segregated boilermakers union hall. It’s a part of history that many don’t realize.

“We have to recognize where we have been, or we have no way of knowing how we got to where we are,” she says.

Soskin takes great pride in wearing the uniform, and every time she has a new audience she’s reliving history as if it’s current.

“It keeps fresh as long as there’s audiences that have not yet become aware of that history because it’s a very proud history. It’s something that’s renewed every time I share it.”

Before Soskin makes her way to the theater for her program on her birthday, a visitor walks up to tell her what an honor it is to be there.

“I’m honored to be here too,” Soskin says with a laugh. “You have no idea. When you get to be 90 years old, you’re honored to be anywhere.”

The Regulars is a photo and video column that offers a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people in the Bay Area, caught in routine activities of modern urban life.