In memoriam

Looking up at towering redwood trees with sunlight filtering through the branches in a forest.

We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us—the visionaries and leaders who paved the way with courage and conviction. Though they may no longer be here in body, their spirit remains woven into the very fabric of our mission. Their support, wisdom, and tireless advocacy continue to guide our footsteps, ensuring that their impact resonates through everyone who finds belonging in nature.

  • A smiling woman in the sunshine, wearing a white shirt underneath a blue collared shirt, in front of green leaves.

    Dr Nina Roberts

    December 10, 1960 – March 29, 2022

    A nationally recognized authority on race, ethnicity, culture, and natural resources, Dr. Nina dedicated her life to breaking down barriers for urban youth, women, and girls in the outdoors. Before her tenure as a professor in the Department of Recreation, Parks & Tourism at San Francisco State University and Faculty Director of the Institute for Civic Engagement, Nina worked with the National Park Service and the Student Conservation Association to promote cultural diversity in connecting people with the outdoors.

    Nina was one of Jenny’s first mentors in the equitable outdoor access space, a relationship that began over lunch at the San Francisco Ferry Building in 2015. It was Nina who gifted the California Outdoor Engagement Coalition its name, later serving on its executive committee and co-authoring its commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Beyond her academic and professional brilliance, Nina is remembered for her contagious laugh, her drive for change, and the pure joy she displayed drumming and dancing with Sistah Boom.

    Learn more about Nina’s life and work here.

  • A woman wearing glasses, looking off into the distance, wearing a National Park Service uniform with a collared shirt, a jacket, a tie and a hat, standing in front of a brick wall.

    Betty Reid Soskin

    September 22, 1921 – December 21, 2025

    Betty Reid Soskin was a living bridge to history. Retiring as the oldest active National Park Service ranger at the age of 100, Betty spent her later years ensuring that the diverse, often overlooked stories of the American experience were told with honesty and grace at the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park.

    Despite her status as a national icon, Betty moved through the world with profound humility. Jenny fondly recalls a moment in the Richmond NPS office when she found Betty sitting at her desk in genuine awe; she had received a handwritten letter from Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and truly couldn't believe the Secretary had reached out to her. It is this rare combination of historical gravity and personal modesty that made Betty a North Star for all who seek to preserve our collective heritage.

    Learn more about Betty’s life and work here.