Famed National Park Services ranger Betty Reid Soskin has been recovering for the past week after suffering a stroke.
The announcement was made by Soskin’s son on her popular Facebook account on Sunday, which happens to be Soskin’s 98th birthday.
The announcement in full:
Hello! This is Bob Reid, Betty’s son, posting here for Betty. I am sure many of you have been wondering where Betty has been and I wanted to fill you in. A while ago, while working at the Rosie the Riveter Visitor Center, Betty was showing evidence of suffering a stroke. She was taken to the hospital where that concern was confirmed. She has been in acute rehabilitation for the past week and it has taken much of our time and attention to address her needs and address the events of our own lives. We appreciate the restraint shown by those who understood that she was having health problems and did not add to the load by expecting us to respond to phone messages, emails and texts. We understand that people feel a desire to be of assistance and we are grateful for that. Betty’s work has touched many people. We are preparing a way for people to assist Betty in her recovery and making sure that she has what she needs. We will be letting you know, later today, what you can do, as well!
Community members sent an outpouring of support for Soskin. An online fundraiser has been launched to assist with her recovery.
Soskin is nationally known for her sage and engaging historical tours of Richmond’s Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park, which she helped to establish. She’s the author of Sign My Name To Freedom, which chronicles her eclectic experiences as a young worker in a WWII-segregated union hall, a singer, activist, mother, legislative representative, and park planner.
A documentary about Soskin, No Time to Waste, is set to premiere at a sold-out screening Monday in the Mission Blue Chapel at Cavallo Point in Marin on Monday, Sept. 23.
The film will also have upcoming showings in Richmond and Sonoma. Screenings later this year in Oakland and San Francisco will support educational distribution of the documentary. Ticket options will post soon. For updates, visit www.rosietheriveter.org.
