[1] She is a descendant of original Cherokee enrollees, with her grandparents being Ezekiel "Zeke" and Katie Kaiser Hughes, and John and Nina "Pug" Beck Hendren Potter.
[1] Hughes O'Leary graduated from Colcord High School and later attended Northeastern State University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in education with a minor in sociology.
[1] Hughes O'Leary began her career at the U.S. Department of Human Services, where she worked for 19 years.
[1] Following her career in social services, she established her own bail bond business in Oklahoma, where she has been operating for over 15 years as of 2003.
[1] In 2003, Hughes O'Leary and Melvina Shotpouch were elected to represent the multi-member district 5 of the Cherokee Nation tribal council.