- Born
- Died
- Birth nameBetty Charbonnet
- Betty Reid Soskin was born on September 22, 1921 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. She was an actress, known for Makers (2012), What's Poppin' Penny? (2025) and Sign My Name to Freedom. She was married to William Soskin and Melvin Reid. She died on December 21, 2025 in Richmond, California, USA.
- SpousesWilliam Soskin(1978 - 1988) (his death)William Soskin(1976 - December 2, 1988) (his death)Melvin Reid(1943 - 1972) (divorced)Melvin Reid(1943 - 1972) (divorced, 2 children)
- ParentsLottie Breaux AllenDorson Louis Charbonnet
- RelativesJ. Douglas Allen-Taylor(Cousin)
- During World War II, she worked as a file clerk in a segregated boilermakers union hall in Richmond.
- Spent more than a decade sharing often-overlooked stories of African American contributions during World War II.
- Retired from the Park Service in March 2022 at age 100.
- Arrived in Oakland at age 6 after the catastrophic 1927 Mississippi River flood devastated her family's New Orleans home.
- Didn't join the National Park Service until age 85.
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