Josie Estrada started working as a Hooters Girl in June 2014 while attending Purdue University, where she studied Theatre and Management. Shortly after employment, Josie was promoted to a trainer who worked diligently and gracefully through the duration of her studies. Josie graduated from Purdue in May 2016. Due to Josie's exemplary work ethic and leadership ability, she was offered an opportunity in July 2017 to become an hourly manager, followed by an offer to become a salaried manager six months later. Josie was awarded Regional Manager of the Quarter in July 2019. She worked full-time until May 2021, when she decided to demote herself and pursue her acting career further. Hooters encourages growth while maintaining flexibility, which allowed Josie to continue her artistic endeavors while maintaining employment with the company she's grown with over the past several years. Josie's career started to take off after taking classes at several studios in Chicago and finding an agent. She's been in a few commercials and got a speaking role in a Chicago-based television show. Her acting career is still in the beginning stage, but she'd love to continue pursuing her dreams. However,




Recently a life-altering event took place that may or may not change the trajectory of her family's future.

 

In early April, Josie's parents Esther and Rogelio, suffered a devastating car accident while Rogelio was driving Esther to work in the early morning hour of 6:00 a.m.

 

A vehicle ran a red light and t-boned them at such high velocity that their car flipped over, which caused instant loss of consciousness.

 

They have four children, including two teenage daughters who were waiting for Rogelio to come home and take them to school the morning of the accident. Josie happened to be visiting her parents in Texas at the time, so ended up walking her sisters to school. Considering Rogelio's reliability, her family instantly knew something was wrong.

 

Josie received word of her parent's accident but couldn't fathom the severity of it until she got to the hospital. Josie came to find that her dad had a fractured face, severe concussion and loss of hearing. However, her mother had taken the brunt of the forceful accident-having multiple broken ribs, multiple pelvic fractures, and nerve damage to her eyes and face. Rogelio spent 4 days in the hospital, but Esther spent nearly a month, and still requires home care due to her injuries.

 

They would never ask for help, but are always the first to give if anyone is in need. Their son decided to quit his job and relocate to Texas, along with his significant other and 1 year old child to assist with all home healthcare needs and assistance to any forthcoming medical visits, therapies and rehabilitation. With her brother taking on the custodial and caretaker role, Josie is in constant communication with her family in Texas, and continuing to work as much as possible to reduce what will surely be an astronomical financial burden. Currently, neither Rogelio nor Esther have an expected return to work date. So, any donation, great or small would be greatly appreciated, and utilized toward any medical, legal or other expenses that may arise as Josie's family attempt to regain their lives, however long that may take. As many are aware, legal settlements can take years to come to fruition, but medical bills are ever increasing.

 

Josie has been a wonderful asset to the Hooters family for many years and we have a saying here at Hooters- that "Hooters Makes You Happy," and although there is no joy in losing the ability to live life as one knows it, we'd really like to help Josie and her family try. Try to find happiness, try to regain peace of mind, and try to transition through this devastating time with as much ease as possible.