Flora M. Vare

Flora Morris Vare (1874 – May 27, 1962) was an American politician from Pennsylvania who served as a Republican member of the Pennsylvania Senate for the 1st District from 1925 to 1928. She was married to Edwin Vare; he and his brothers William Scott Vare and George Vare were known as the "Dukes of South Philadelphia" for their decades-long political control of the South Philadelphia ward leadership.[1] She was the first woman to serve in the Pennsylvania Senate.[2]

Flora M. Vare
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate
from the 1st district
In office
1925–1928
Preceded byWilliam Scott Vare
Succeeded byLawrence E. McCrossin
Personal details
Born1874
New London, Connecticut
DiedMarch 28, 1965
Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Edwin Vare
ResidenceArdmore, Pennsylvania

Early life

Vare was born in New London, Connecticut.[3]

Career

Vare was elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate representing the 1st Senatorial District for the seat vacated by her brother in law William Scott Vare and served from 1925 to 1928.[4]

She proposed legislation for a Pennsylvania constitutional amendment to provide everyone over the age of 65 with a dollar a day pension however the legislation was not passed.[5]

She lost reelection to Lawrence E. McCrossin and the state senate seat that had been held by a member of the Vare family since 1894.[6]

She died in Lankenau Hospital[3] and is interred at the West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.[7]

Personal life

Flora was married to Edwin Vare and her sister Ida Morris was married to Edwin's brother, William Scott Vare.[8]

References
  1. "Closed for Business". www.digitalhistory.hsp.org. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  2. Martin, Mart (2001). The Almanac of Women and Minorities in Politics 2002. New York: Routledge. p. 1982. ISBN 0-8133-9817-7. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  3. "Flora Morris Vare". www.legis.state.pa.us. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  4. "Senate Members "V"". www.staffweb.wilkes.edu. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  5. "Governor John Stuchell Fisher". www.phmc.state.pa.us. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  6. Weigley, Russell Frank (1982). Philadelphia: A 300 Year History. New York - London: WW Norton & Company. p. 585. ISBN 0-393-01610-2. Retrieved 5 January 2019. flora vare.
  7. "Flora Morris Vare". www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  8. Dubin, Murray (1996). South Philadelphia: Mummers, Memories and the Melrose Diner. Philadelphia: Temple University Press. p. 86. ISBN 1-56639-429-5. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
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