The nation’s oldest park ranger, Betty Reid Soskin, 94, was beaten and robbed in her home early this week, reports KTVU-TV. Now, police are asking for help catching the assailant.
On Monday, June 27, Soskin, a ranger at the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park, was attacked in her Richmond, California home around midnight, at which time she awoke to find a man standing over her with a flashlight.
Soskin says she tried to call for help on her cellphone, but the burglar took the phone, forcing a struggle between the two. During that time, Soskin says the intruder dragged her through the home, striking her multiple times. “I fully expected he was going to kill me. He double up his fist and hit me a couple of times on the sides of my face with all his might,” Soskin told KTVU. “I don’t even like to look at myself in the mirror at this point because I still have a couple black eyes and one is still marked. My lips were split in a couple of places.”
Despite her wounds, Soskin was able to escape to a bathroom, where she locked herself inside and armed herself with a hot iron should the suspect return, reports say. Once the man left, Soskin exited her safe room to discover the thief had raided her residence, making off with personal belongings like a coin marked with the presidential seal that was given to her by President Obama at the national tree-lighting ceremony in December, the Los Angeles Times reports.
In spite of it all, Soskin says the traumatic incident will not force her from her home. She has already considered forgiveness on one condition, as well. “This is my space and it was invaded and I need to reclaim it so I’m going to stay here,” she told KTVU. “If I can get that coin back I think I can forgive anything.”
In the meantime, authorities have warned the community to keep a lookout for the coin, as it’s quite distinguishable. Meanwhile, Richmond Mayor Tom Butt took to Facebook, sharing that while Soskin was the one directly affected by the incident, the brutal attack was an attack on them all. “Park Ranger Betty Soskin is arguably Richmond’s most famous resident, and an assault on her is an assault on us all,” he wrote via Facebook.
Like many close knit communities, Richmond has rallied around Soskin, creating a trust in her name. “On 6/27, an intruder attacked and robbed Ranger Betty Soskin in her home. We are all deeply upset by these events, but can report that she is recovering well. Beyond immediate needs, all funds raised here will be used, as Betty has asked, to complete a film in progress that contains vital documentary information about Betty’s life and impact. This is the legacy that she wants to continue passing on to younger generations, and a remarkable testimonial to her strength of spirit. Thank you,” the website says.
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