Resilience in Motion
Laurel Virginia is a woman of many talents and a story of resilience. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, she moved to Hood River, Oregon, to live with her Aunt and Uncle on their pear farm when she was just 8 years old. It was there that Laurel’s love for the arts—and for others—began to blossom. From a young age, she led with her big heart, often trying to find her place in the world.
Her life has been a journey of art, love and perseverance. She was marked by struggles, including enduring years of domestic violence in her twenties. Yet, rather than being broken by these experiences, Laurel found strength in them. She channeled her pain and resilience into her passions for cooking, painting, and photography, using her art as a powerful outlet for healing, expression and coping with C-PTSD.
Laurel is the Chef/Owner of Tilly Jane’s Sports Bar & Grill located in the heights of Hood River - her passion for the culinary arts began at a very young age. Due to her physical limitations due to an injury in 2022 she has had to hang up her apron - managing the business from a distance with her trusted management team onsite.
Laurel has been a dedicated food and portrait photographer since 2017 - deciding in 2024 that her main entrepreneurial focus and artistic outlet needed to be refocused on her love of photography. After years of rehabilitation for her spinal injury she is working full-time as a photographer and nail technician at her own studio she opened in July 2024 in downtown Hood River, Moon Magick Studios.
A devoted mother of two sons and a successful multi-business owner, Laurel has faced many obstacles throughout her life.
Today, Laurel is a passionate advocate for survivors of domestic violence, as well as those struggling with alcoholism, especially in the hospitality industry.
Laurel found sobriety in 2024 - Living in a world surrounded by temptation is never easy, but Laurel’s story serves as a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit and the possibility of transformation.
Resources that helped Laurel get through her rehabilitation are listed below.
Ben’s Friends of Hope is a hospitality focused recovery group.
Downdog Yoga helped Laurel gain movement back in her spine and is an app she still uses regularly.
Insight Timer is a free and subscription based app that includes pre-recorded sound baths, mediations and various courses to help your spirit. There are also global live yoga classes you can tune into.
National Domestic Violence Hotline - Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure in their own homes and in their body. If you are experiencing domestic violence know that there are resources to help you. Breathe, we’ve got this.
