Talk and Book Signing by author Betty Reid Soskin on May 19th from 11:30AM to 1PM at Cole Hall, 2950 Washington Blvd, Fremont, CA, 94539

Fremont’s Mission Peak UU Congregation looks forward to hosting 97 year-old activist, musician, and author Betty Reid Soskin for a talk and book signing on Sunday, May 19. Her book, “Sign My Name to Freedom: A Memoir of a Pioneering Life”, weaves both the wisdom of the ages and the fresh enthusiasm of an always youthful mind into her long journey through an American and African-American life, as well as America’s long struggle to both understand and cleanse its soul.

Soskin is perhaps most famous for her association with the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park which she helped found in 2000 and continues to enjoy sharing with the public. Born in Louisiana but raised in the East Bay she worked in a segregated Union Hall as a young woman. Later she and her first husband founded Reid’s Records in Berkeley, one of the first in the area which was owned and focused on the music of African American, and which remains open until later this year. She is also a musician and songwriter herself. She went on to be a staffer to a Berkeley Council member and then for two East Bay Assembly Members. In 1995 she was named Woman of the Year in California and has received many other honors and tributes.

Ms. Soskin is currently employed as a park ranger for the Rosie the Riveter World War II/Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, California, assigned to civic engagement and community outreach.