Park Leaders Show : Park Ranger | National Park | State Park | Leadership

This episode of the Park Leaders Show felt like I was talking to history. Betty Soskin is the oldest park ranger in the United States. Betty is 93 years old. Betty Soskin, Oldest Park Ranger. Photo by NPS Yes, that is impressive. But even more impressive is Betty did not become a park ranger until she was 85 years old. Talking with Betty, I got the feeling she did not necessarily become a park ranger, she became part of the narrative of Rosie the Riveter National Historic Park, and that involved wearing a park ranger uniform. "Whatever I do, they call rangering. But I would be doing it anyway because it is the only thing I know." Betty Soskin first collected national attention when she was furloughed during the government shutdown. When asked what the government should do to end the shutdown, Betty replied, "I am not wise enough to tell them what to do, except to get out of my way." The government shutdown was an obstacle to Betty's telling her story and getting important work done. Betty tackles each day w