Culver City Observer -

By Auriane Gamelin

Special to the Observer

First crowned Ms. Senior Culver City in 2014,Dr. Gayla Kalp Jackson then won the title of Ms. Senior California 2014-2015 on August 23, 2014 in Westminster, CA.

Competing with 13 other women for the Ms. Senior California crown wasn't easy. The contest comprised of interviews, evening gown and talent competition as well as reciting their philosophy of life. It seems that Dr. Jackson's talents and mentality were the ones to appeal most to the judges.

Dr. Jackson has one objective she wishes to attain, "My goal is to share with other women that we are never too old to have fun, encourage others and be leaders to women of all ages" she says.

Dr. Jackson, at 67 is a firm believer that aging is to be embraced and not repulsed. In fact, she deems that a woman shall never tarnish if she understands the splendors of aging.

During her reign as Ms. Senior California, Dr. Jackson is traveling around the State speaking to women's groups, military organization and business communities sharing her wisdom as well as performing her unique talent – a monologue of how the song "Taps" came to be; it's a riveting performance that brings the American spirit out and pays tribute to all Veterans.

Motivated and ambitious, Dr. Jackson earned two Masters Degrees in Psychology and Business Administration after earning her Bachelors Degree at the University of Southern California. She was the Assistant Director of the Senior Citizens Center for the City of Culver City while taking her classes. There was never a pause for Dr. Jackson, as she would use the school breaks to tour with the American Theatre Company in the United States and Europe as a professional actress.

Eager to look forward and never halt, Dr. Jackson is as strong as she is striving. Indeed, after being married for seven years and divorced after giving birth to her first child, she kept on going and worked as a single young mother for more than 30 years.

Dr. Jackson is currently married in a blended family and has one daughter, three step daughters, one granddaughter, and three step grandchildren.

She has became a licensed Psychotherapist, and decided to dedicate herself to young teens involved in gangs.

Retiring wasn't an issue for Dr. Jackson. She continued and chose to help the Ventura County Youth Authority, the Glendale Police Department, and other non-profit organizations in the assistance for distressed teens and their families.

If you wish to follow Dr. Gayla Jackson on social media, you can like her Facebook Fan Page: Dr. Gayla Kalp Jackson – Ms Senior California 2014/2015, as well as her Twitter: @GaylaMsCA.