Regina Olson Hughes was born February 1, 1895 in Herman, Nebraska. She came to Washington, DC in 1914 where she attended Gallaudet College, graduated in 1918. Following her graduation, she worked as a translator at the State Department. At one time, she taught at the Mississippi School for the Deaf from 1919 to 1920. From 1925 until 1969, she was employed by the United States Department of Agricultural as a botanical illustrator.

After retiring from government service, Dr. Hughes served as the resident illustrator in the Smithsonian Institution’s Botany Department until 1990. She received many awards during her career, including an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Gallaudet University in 1967. A plant, a genus and species of orchid, Hughesia reginae was named in her honor. Her exhibits of art works were displayed in the museums and art galleries as well as her drawings and illustrations of plants that appeared in many official publications.

Dr. Hughes was married to Dr. Frederick H. Hughes, Class of 1913, who passed away in 1956. She died in Washington, DC on August 12, 1993.