When political newcomer Karmolette O’Gilvie beat incumbent John Cole last December to represent District 4 in Twentynine Palms, many voters asked, “Who is she?” Reporter Heather Clisby recently spoke with O’Gilvie to find out a bit more about the newest Council member…
Born in Houston, Texas, Karmolette O’Gilvie knew from a very young age what she would do with her life.
“My mother was a Type 1 diabetic patient and she was in and out of the hospital a lot. I guess that started my journey in to healthcare. I remember 6th grade, dress up as what you wanted to become, I dressed in all white. I told them I was going to be a nurse one day.”
Eventually earning Associates of Nursing degree at College of the Desert and her Masters in Nursing Education from Grand Canyon University, O’Gilvie turned her educational focus from the body to the spirit. In earning a theology degree from the Bread of Life University, she united her two passions:
“If you go back to the history of nursing, which really started with a French order of nuns – which were referred to as ‘deaconesses’ – it started within the church. Almost like going back home! I truly believe that I’m walking in my calling when it comes to nursing, I thoroughly love it.”
O’Gilvie married her high school sweetheart, Gary, and they have a son and daughter and two grandsons, ages 11 and 8. Gary is now retired from the Corps and works in civil service on the base in Twentynine Palms. A resident of Twentynine Palms for nearly 30 years, O’Gilvie says a certain civic duty compelled her to run for the City Council
“I believe either you need to not complain, be quiet or do something about it. And so I’m soaking a lot of things in and doing a lot of reading and research. I’m just happy that I was elected and I just want to do something good and positive for the community, I really do.”
