Vermont’s First Female Legislator – From Orange County’s Own
Joshua Smith
October 23, 2025
When you roll through the hills of Orange County, it’s easy to think of hayfields, stone walls, and gentle rural rhythms. But in January 1921, the quiet town of Orange stepped into bold history when one of its own, Edna Beard, became the first woman elected to the Vermont Legislature. It was more than a local milestone—it hinted directly at how the world was changing in communities like ours.
Edna Beard hailed from the town of Orange, and she had campaigned at a time when women’s political roles were still new in much of the country. Her election followed the ratification of the 19th Amendment just months earlier in 1920. On January 5, 1921, Beard took her seat, making history and leaving a legacy of civic activism in our region.
Her presence in Montpelier brought a different voice to the General Assembly, one rooted in small-town Vermont: schools, farms, and the kind of local civic life many of us know. Beard’s campaign and election show that change didn’t always come from big cities or loud crowds—it came from hard-working neighbors who stepped up when the moment arrived.
For Orange County, this event added a new layer to its identity. Formed in 1781, named for William of Orange, and long a region of farms and small mills, the county was built on tradition but also on the readiness of its people to try something new. Beard’s election carried that readiness into the halls of state government.
Looking back, we see that her service wasn’t just symbolic. It made clear that the women of Vermont—teachers, wives, farm-hands, traders—belonged in government too. It paved the way for future generations of women from Orange County and beyond to run for office, serve their communities, and shape policy.
So next time you drive past School Street in Orange, or pass through the village of Orange itself, remember that in 1921 this place stood at a doorway of change. The familiar rhythms of rural life were still there—but now with a new voice.
Sources
Vermont History Explorer, “Timeline 1900-1949”: Entry for January 5, 1921: Edna Beard becomes Vermont’s first woman legislator.
Britannica: “Orange County, Vermont” — founded 1781, county profile and history.
Edna Beard hailed from the town of Orange, and she had campaigned at a time when women’s political roles were still new in much of the country. Her election followed the ratification of the 19th Amendment just months earlier in 1920. On January 5, 1921, Beard took her seat, making history and leaving a legacy of civic activism in our region.
Her presence in Montpelier brought a different voice to the General Assembly, one rooted in small-town Vermont: schools, farms, and the kind of local civic life many of us know. Beard’s campaign and election show that change didn’t always come from big cities or loud crowds—it came from hard-working neighbors who stepped up when the moment arrived.
For Orange County, this event added a new layer to its identity. Formed in 1781, named for William of Orange, and long a region of farms and small mills, the county was built on tradition but also on the readiness of its people to try something new. Beard’s election carried that readiness into the halls of state government.
Looking back, we see that her service wasn’t just symbolic. It made clear that the women of Vermont—teachers, wives, farm-hands, traders—belonged in government too. It paved the way for future generations of women from Orange County and beyond to run for office, serve their communities, and shape policy.
So next time you drive past School Street in Orange, or pass through the village of Orange itself, remember that in 1921 this place stood at a doorway of change. The familiar rhythms of rural life were still there—but now with a new voice.
Sources
Vermont History Explorer, “Timeline 1900-1949”: Entry for January 5, 1921: Edna Beard becomes Vermont’s first woman legislator.
Britannica: “Orange County, Vermont” — founded 1781, county profile and history.
At 43, Edna Beard made history in 1920 when she was elected to represent the town of Orange — becoming the first woman ever to serve in the Vermont House of Representatives
Photo courtesy of the Vermont State Curator’s Office
Photo courtesy of the Vermont State Curator’s Office
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