Florence Dwyer Campaign Flyer
Courtesy, Private Archives, Frank Keenan, Washington, D.C.

This campaign flyer illustrates the qualities that made Florence Dwyer (1902 - 1976) a successful candidate in the 1960s.  While Dwyer deliberately organized women supporters and targeted women's groups, her campaign materials made no particular mention of gender issues. She stressed instead the many services she provided for her constituents.  Many of these services, however, were those of particular concern to women and families.  Before the 1970s, female politicians had to be very subtle in dealing with gender and gender issues.