Akila Gibbs is One of Senator Carol Liu’s Women of the Year

Akila Gibbs, executive director of the Pasadena Senior Center, was recognized recently as one of California Senator Carol Liu’s six 25th Senate District Women of the Year during a reception at Liu’s home.

She was honored for her dedicated leadership of the Pasadena Senior Center and her work to enhance the quality of life in the community.

“On behalf of the Pasadena Senior Center Board of Directors, I am pleased and proud that Senator Liu recognized Akila as an extraordinary leader,” said board president Sandy Greenstein. “She has been an unsung hero in the community for 15 years and this honor is greatly deserved.”

Since 2000 Gibbs has devoted herself to issues associated with the aging population and has served on several boards and associations that address social services issues, including the Villa Esperanza Services Council for Excellence, Pasadena Senior Commission, Pasadena Rotary and Pasadena Executive Roundtable, a consortium of executive directors of local nonprofit organizations.

Last year she shared her perspectives during Senator Liu’s Pathways Statewide Bus Tour: Innovations in Aging and LTSS, the mission of which is to develop a comprehensive strategy for creating an effective and efficient long-term care system in California. The Pasadena Senior Center is one of only five California sites selected as a model for best practices in senior care services and is the only resource of its kind in the San Gabriel Valley that provides comprehensive services to seniors.

“I am grateful to Senator Liu for honoring me and the five other 2015 Women of the Year,” said Gibbs. “As the Pasadena Senior Center prepares to celebrate its 55th anniversary this year, I am committed to continue leading this organization as we meet the growing needs of seniors in the years ahead.”

For more information about the Pasadena Senior Center visit www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org or call (626) 795-4331.