In 1969, Virginia was named Miss Cherokee Tribal Princess. In 1970, Virginia was named Miss National congress of American Indians. Also in 1970, Virginia was named "Youth of the Year" by the World Congress of the Boy Scouts of America. In 1971, Virginia was named Miss Indian America XVII. Virginia has worked as a teacher, lecturer, consultant & artist.

     Virginia studied art at Bacone College (Muskogee, OK) & subsequently at the University of Oklahoma (Norman, OK) under Dick West. Virginia credits Dick West as a major influence to her work. Virginia also studied art under Ahmed Moghbel. Virginia works in tempera, gouache & prints.

     Using a modification of the pictographic style of 19th century ledger drawings, Virginia considers herself a visual orator & aims to show that the historical Indian culture survives in contemporary society. Virginia says, "I want people to look back at my work just like today we look back at the ledger drawings to see how it was then. I'm working 100 years after those people & saying this is how we still do it ... we still have our traditions."