No Time to Waste

This new documentary film celebrates legendary national park ranger Betty Reid Soskin who, at age 98, still actively presents her unique perspective on American history to visitors at Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park.

The film examines Soskin’s urgent mission to restore critical missing chapters of America’s story, following her journey from a tiny theatre to reaching national and international audiences, challenging her fellow citizens to move together toward a more perfect union. The screening will be followed by a conversation between the film’s director Carl Bidleman and co-executive producer Doug McConnell, host of NBC Bay Area’s OpenRoad.

Betty Reid Soskin is an iron-willed American woman who became a national park ranger at age 85. The great granddaughter of a slave, Betty has lived a life filled with painful and often humiliating memories… yet she remains a defiant voice of hope. The documentary, produced by Digital Story Company for Rosie the Riveter Trust and in association with the National Park Service, captures Soskin’s fascinating life pathway — from the experiences of a young worker in a WWII segregated union hall, through her multi-faceted career as a singer, activist, mother, legislative representative and park planner to her present public role.

This event will kick off the 20th Anniversary celebration for Rosie the Riveter national park. Rosie the Riveter Trust is the official nonprofit partner building support to expand public education programs and preserve historic resources for the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park, the flagship national park for telling stories about home front efforts across the United States. For more information, visit: www.rosietheriveter.org.

Carl Bidleman (director) is a storyteller who has built a 36-year career as an award-winning producer, director, writer, photographer, editor, and media executive in broadcast, digital and print. He has worked for commercial and public television stations, major foundations, a civil rights organization, and is currently a partner in a media production company. He served on the board of directors of the Oceanic Society for over a decade.

Doug McConnell (co-executive producer) has worked in Bay Area television since 1983. He is currently the host and co-creator of OpenRoad with Doug McConnell on NBC Bay Area. He has also produced and hosted Bay Area Backroads on KRON, OpenRoad: Exploring the West on national Public Television, and Mac and Mutley on KPIX and the Discovery Channel. As co-founder of ConvergenceMedia Productions, Doug also develops and oversees many other media projects in support of parks and open space agencies and non-profit organizations.

Photo Credit: Luther Bailey, NPS.