Early Years
After living in West Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina, and Washington, D.C., Laura married photographer John Phillips and moved to Toronto. For the next thirteen years, they owned and managed the Baldwin Street Gallery of Photography, which was a gallery, a workshop, and a small bookstore.

MAJOR INVOLVEMENT
Laura has been very involved in public service, both as a volunteer and as part of her career as a researcher, writer and photographer.

Her work has been recognized in publications, exhibitions and awards. Laura Jones photographed three children's books, was a participant as a photographer in the Art Gallery of Ontario's "Artist with their Work Programme and included in collections such as the (former) National Film Board Still Photography Division.

Laura has also consulted and written extensively on the topics of occupational and environmental health. Her research has been used in articles, speeches and reports for city and provincial politicians, government agencies, environmental groups, and community health centres.

In recognition of "significant contribution to compatriots, community and to Canada", Laura was awarded the Commemorative Medal for the 125th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada

Although in January 2005, Laura completed her term as co-chair of the South Riverdale Environmental Liaison Committee, she remains actively involved. The committee was founded in 1982 to focus on the problem of high levels of lead in the blood of neighborhood children. The mandate expanded to include other health, environmental, and development issues. Participants include representatives of all three levels of government, local industries, health agencies and community groups.

In 2003, Laura was appointed by Toronto City Council to fill a vacant seat (Toronto-Danforth). As a councilor, she served as the Sustainability Advocate for the City of Toronto and Chair of the "Sustainable Roundtable".

From 2001 -2003 Jones was a research consultant to the Riverdale Immigrant Women's Centre. In this capacity she wrote four reports, including an environmental scan; a model for a Parent Child Resource Centre; a catalogue of services for parents; and a needs assessment focusing on South Asian women.

From 1987-1990, Laura served as the Community Information Officer on the Getting the Lead out Soil Replacement/Lead Reduction Project. She also served on the strategy committee to develop protocols for the largest clean-up of lead contamination in Canada, and visited over 1000 homes to gain cooperation, resulting in a 97% success rate.