Yes, We Can!

The first national park I ever visited was the scene of the opening salvo of the Revolutionary War. "The shot heard 'round the world" occurred in what is now known as Minute Man National Historical Park, encompassing portions of both Concord and Lexington (MA). 

At this point I have been to many NPS properties, including stretches of the West that lay claim to Glacier, Arches, and Mount Rushmore. But next on my list is a location off the beaten track, based in the small town of Richmond (CA), home to the Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Park. 

It was here that Betty Reid Soskin, raised on the raucous streets of New Orleans during the 1920's, became the oldest serving park ranger in the U.S., retiring from the above-named facility at the ripe old age of 100. 

Betty embodied many of the characteristics of the story she so often told, refusing to be confined by the norms of her time. She worked tirelessly for racial integration. She co-founded a gospel record store. She wrote a memoir, had a local Middle School named after her, and even attended the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

Inspired by the museum's famous 1942 WWII recruitment poster, Betty's life was a tribute to Rosies everywhere... 

"Yes We Can!" - J. Howard Miller, creator of the Rosie the Riveter poster