Regina Olson Hughes By Shari, Scot, Thayne, and Jasper Successful Students That Jump

Regina Olson HughesIntroduction

Born February 1, 1895 Herman, Nebraska

Took an interest in plants and drawing at a young age

Gradually lost her hearing in her early teensWent completely deaf at age 14Would spend “Ice Cream” money on flower

seeds

Education As a young girl, she was lucky to have a tutor that

nourished her interest in plants and drawing. After loosing her hearing, Regina learned American Sign

Language (ASL). She attended Gallaudet University in Washington D.C.

Graduated at age 23 with a bachelor of arts degree Obtained a masters degree at 25

Amazingly, Regina taught herself German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and some Latin. Reading Lip Reading

Career

After finishing school, Regina was hired by the U.S. State Department as a translator during WWI.

She spent several years working for them, but eventually she left to pursue her true passion.

She was hired by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1930, as a botanical illistrator

She spent her time drawing the plants and flowers that were being studied.

Hundreds of Regina Olsen Hughes drawings have been published in textbooks and other publications

Legacy

Regina Olsen Hughes died in 1993 at the age of 98.

She is the only deaf artist to have a solo exhibit at the Smithsonian.

She is immortalized in the deaf community because of what she was able to accomplish after losing her hearing.

There is a species of flower “Hughesia reginae” named after her

Accolades

1967 – Gallaudet University awarded Hughes with an honorary doctorate in humane letters.

1970 – Named “Woman of the Year”by Phi Kappa Zeta

1980- Voted “artist of the year” by the National League of American Pen Women

1981 – Received the Gallaudet University’s Amos Kendall Award “for notable excellence in a professional field not related to deafness”.

Conclusion

Regina Olsen Hughes was put at a huge disadvantage in her early life.

She was dedicated and passionateShe knew eight different languages

Seven of which she had never actually heard before

With bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees, Regina Olsen Hughes was truly a Master Student

The EndBy: Shari, Scot, Thayne, and Jasper

Successful Students That Jump