Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park Media Advisory

July 11, 2016
Contact:  Superintendent Tom Leatherman, 510-778-4171, tom_leatherman@nps.gov

Park Staff Welcome Ranger Betty Reid Soskin Back to Work Following Home Invasion

RICHMOND, Calif. – The oldest ranger in the National Park Service, Betty Reid Soskin, 94, will return to work at the Rosie the Riveter visitor center along the Richmond waterfront at approximately 9:30am.  This is the first time Soskin will be back in the visitor center to conduct her regular ranger program since she was a victim of a home invasion attack on the morning of June 27, 2016.  This is an opportunity for the media to greet Soskin and ask her questions about her recovery and her return to her work.

WHO: NPS Ranger Betty Reid Soskin

WHAT:          Media Availability
                    Individual interviews will be available upon request

WHEN:           9:30am Tuesday, July 12, 2016 
Media please arrive and be in place no later than 9:00am. 

WHERE:         Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historical Park 
            1414 Harbour Way South, Suite 3000, Richmond, CA 94804

MEDIA:          From Harbour Way south, go past the guard shack at the north end of the Ford Assembly building and park in the rear of the visitor center. A podium will be set up in front of the visitor center for Soskin’s arrival.

On Monday June 27 at approximately 1:30 in the morning, Soskin’s home was invaded and she was attacked.  She was able to fight off the attacker and barricade herself in her bathroom, but not before sustaining some injuries.  The home invader stole many items, including her computer, phone and the commemorative coin given to her by President Obama when she introduced him at the White House Christmas Tree lighting this last December.  The police continue to work diligently to try to find the attacker.  Subsequent to the attack, Soskin has been recovering in her home and has received support from across the nation.  Over $50,000 has been raised to help Soskin reclaim her personal space and replace the items she lost.  

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