She also served in local offices including town treasurer, and operated a dairy farm in partnership with one of her brothers.

40 women in Orange registered to vote between the primary and general elections, and enough supported her to tip the scales for Beard, who won the seat and became Vermont's first woman state legislator.

[1][5] Beard never married or had children, and she resided on a dairy farm she operated in partnership with her brother Frank.

[6] The seat stood vacant for over an hour until Horatio Luce of Pomfret took the dare of his fellow members and sat down beside Miss Beard amid a storm of laughter and applause.

"[2] Her maiden speech in the House was to second the renomination of Judge Stanley C. Wilson to the Vermont Superior Court, which contemporary news accounts indicated was received with "hearty applause.

"[7] In 1922 she was elected to Orange County's seat in the Vermont Senate, and was the first woman to serve in that body.

[1] Beard was urged by supporters to enter the race for lieutenant governor in 1924, but left politics because she was in ill health.

[9] A portrait of Edna Beard by artist Ruth Mould is on display at the Vermont State House.