Description
After graduating from Spaulding H.S. in Barre Vermont, Edna Beard worked as a teacher and became superintendent of the town schools. She held the office of town treasurer and was the assistant postmaster, as well as, operating a dairy farm in partnership with one of her brothers. Following passage of the 19th Amendment, Edna Beard ran in the Republican primary for the state legislature but lost. Undeterred, she ran in the general election in the Citizen’s Party and won becoming the first female member of the Vermont House of Representatives. Her first bill, Act 218, was signed into law, providing $2.00 a week child support for women whose husbands were “incapacitated by an incurable disease.” In 1925, Edna became the first woman elected to the VT Senate.
Vermont Legislature
Vermont became a state in 1791 and initially had a unicameral legislature run by the governor and his council. In 1836, it became bicameral, by adding a senate. In 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution passed giving women the right to vote. Later that year, Edna Beard ran for a seat in the Vermont House from the town of Orange. Forty women in Orange registered to vote and Edna Beard was elected by a margin of 38 votes. On her first day in the legislature, Edna was given the first choice to select her seat and selected #146.
The biographical History Mugs were created to teach and inspire individuals to learn about our diverse and interesting history. The biographies were researched and written by history enthusiast, Robert Compton. He colorized most of the historic photos and images used on the mugs, which were originally black and white or sepia tone. The images and biographies are imprinted on mugs at his studio in rural Vermont.
- Mugs are food and microwave safe.
- To preserve photographic quality we recommend hand washing.
- Mugs are usually shipped within 3-5 days.
