Background
Charles, Mary Louise was born on January 24, 1922 in Los Angeles, California, United States. Daughter of Louis Edward and Mabel Inez (Lyon) Kusel.
editor newspaper columnist Photographer
Charles, Mary Louise was born on January 24, 1922 in Los Angeles, California, United States. Daughter of Louis Edward and Mabel Inez (Lyon) Kusel.
Associate of Arts, Los Angeles City College, 1941; Bachelor, San Jose (California) State University, 1964.
Salesperson, Bullock's, Los Angeles, 1940-1942; salesperson, Roos Brothers, Berkeley, California, 1945-1946; partner, Charles-Martin Motors, Marysville, California, 1950-1954; farm editor, Indep. Herald, Yuba City, California, 1954-1955; social worker, Sutter County, Yuba City, 1955-1957; social worker, Santa Clara County, San Jose, 1957-1961; manual coordinator, Santa Clara County, San Jose, 1961-1973; community planning specialist, Santa Clara County, San Jose, 1973-1981; columnist Senior Grapevine, various weekly newspapers, Santa Clara County, 1981-1986; editor Bay area, Senior Spectrum Newspapers, Santa Clara, 1986-1990; columnist, 1990-1994; columnist Santa Clara Valley edit, Senior Magazine, 1994-1995; columnist, San Jose Mercury News, 1994-1997; columnist, Prime Times Monthly Magazine (now Get Up and Go), since 1994. Founder, president Triple-A Council California, 1978-1980.
Vice chairman Santa Clara County Senior Care Commission, 1987-1989, chairman, 1989-1991, member social services committee, since 1993. Member advisory council Council on Aging of Santa Clara County, since 1995. Member aging and disabled advisory committee Metropolitan Transportation Commission, since 1995.
With Walking Attack Vehicle Enhanced, United States Naval Reserve, 1942-1945. Member National Association of Social Workers, American Public Health Association, League of Women Voters (board directors San Jose/Santa Clara chapter 1993-1996, Bay Area board transportation chairman 1996), National Council Senior Citizens (board directors since 1988), Service Employees International Union (member local 535, state executive board directors since 1973, president senior members and retiree chapter since 1982), Congress of California Srs. (board directors since 1987, region IV president 1992-1998, trustee 1993-1997, northern vice president since 1997), Older Women's League (board directors 1980-1984), Older Women's League of California (education/resource coordinator 1987-1989, president 1990-1991, Golden Owl award 1995), American Society on Aging (co-chair women's concerns committee 1985-1986, awards committee 1990-1993), National Council on the Aging, California Specialists on Aging (treasurer 1985-1993), California Srs.
Coalition (chairman 1986, treasurer since 1993), California Writers Club (central board delegations since 1995).
Married Henry Loewy Charles, June 19, 1946. Children: Susan, Henry, Robert, Carol.