Kay Wilson-Bolton

Expertise / Specialties

General Residential Sales

About Me

Biography of Kay Wilson-Bolton, written by her writing coach.


KAY WILSON-BOLTON, born in Rochester, N.H., in 1947, embarked on a journey that would shape her world view. Her childhood, marked by resilience, began in a large family known as the “Gibersons on the Old Dover Road,” residing in a converted schoolhouse.

The move to California in 1955 unfolded a transformative chapter, where Kay skipped a
grade and paved her way through academia, culminating in a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Cal Poly Pomona and later a BA from the Master’s University. She is two classes and a thesis away from completing her master’s degree.

In 1976, she purchased a small real estate company in Santa Paula which began her long career in real estate. She was the second woman elected to the Santa Paula City Council and the second woman to serve as Mayor.

Kay was one of the founders of President of California Women for Agriculture and served as the second State president. Her commitment to service extends to serving as Lead Chaplain for the Ventura County Fire Department.

She has received numerous state and national awards for her service to people experiencing homelessness. In 2002, she co-founded SPIRIT of Santa Paula along with seven other local business people.

Kay has served as president of the Santa Clara Valley Boys and Girls Club, the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce, and served on the Police and Fire Foundation and the Santa Paula Education Foundation.

She participated as an author in two books exploring philanthropy and the value of affordable
housing in luxury communities. She plays in the handbell choir at the Presbyterian Church, remains a full-time real estate broker and property manager while serving as CFO for SPIRIT of Santa Paula.

She was one of the first to identify homelessness as a community problem, weaving hope and advocacy to prevent and end homelessness.

Her journey is chronicled in her latest book, “Harvard Shelter,” which reflects a life committed to service, resilience, and an unwavering dedication to making a difference in the lives of others.

When asked how she wants to be remembered, she simply said, “Relentless.”