MEET PENNY H. WILSON
Penny H. Wilson was born in Concord, CA., to William "Bill" and Pauline "Polly" Hogate and grew up in the small town of Folsom, CA.
“Polly” worked as a bookkeeper and administrative secretary for NASA’s Space Nuclear Propulsion Lab during the space race and “Bill," a driller, having worked on the Golden Gate Bridge Foundation and the shipyards during WWII. He became a superintendent of water resources for California’s major North-South aqueduct and was an honorary geological Engineer.
Penny’s adventurous spirit as a youth began with horseback riding in the Sierra foothills. “I was happiest spending time on my horse.” She enjoyed the freedoms growing up in a small town afforded her.
Later, cheerleading, sports, and high school took center stage and she was crowned Senior Ball Queen before graduating from Folsom High School.
She began work as a secretary for an Aerospace Company in Sacramento, but secretarial work seemed too sedentary while skiing and travel, including climbing Mt. Shasta were some of her pastimes.
Eventually, thoughts of travel became more important. She applied and became an airline hostess for Trans World Airlines (TWA). This evolved into a long and happy career in the sky.
Penny married Capt. Jim Wilson, and they worked together during their years traveling the world with TWA. Occasionally, travels afforded Penny’s new family of 3 and Jim chances to try their wings (and fins) at island diving locales. Jim introduced Penny to light aircraft, scuba, and boating early in their marriage.
Happiest in the air, and on/under the water, Penny relates that one of her most exhilarating experiences was her first solo flight. Now that is really alone, especially at a busy filed later called John Wayne Airport.
When not flying, Penny studied the arts, frequenting galleries and working as a model and voice over artist which eventually led her to acting on the screen. Penny’s passion and work ethic has her working regularly in the film and television industries as an actress and producer. “I am grateful for the mentors and coaches I have encountered along my journey that have believed in me. I feel there is more to my adventure in life, and creatively, I take each stepping stone in training and experience seriously while looking steadily forward.”
