292:, she formed the McLean County Tuberculosis Association with four other community members. Florence began traveling across McLean County, educating citizens on the symptoms of tuberculosis and checking children's health with the help of a nurse. Florence was successful in her efforts, and a sanitarium opened on August 17, 1919. Additionally, in response to concerns about children's health, the county initiated a hot lunch program in rural schools. Florence continued her involvement in the community, serving as chairman on the committee to create a new Girls Industrial Home in 1917, as well as chairman for the Home Service Committee for the
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In the fall elections, Florence's campaign focused on increasing law enforcement, the protection of agricultural interests, and the reduction of taxes. She won the election by a two to one margin. Before leaving home for
Springfield, her father advised her, "Never forget that the welfare of the state
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Florence served on numerous committees in the senate, including ones related to charity, civil service, the economy, and public safety. She introduced and sponsored multiple bills, such as the Dance Hall Bill, which limited the operation of dance halls, a bill that opened the way for a state park
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because she was well known in the community and was the most qualified woman to run. Her candidacy was announced on
January 25, 1924. Her platform included progressive welfare work, balancing power between Chicago and downstate, and lessening taxation. Florence's friend, Sara Forsyth, became her
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is more important that the welfare of your political party." The day
Florence was officially seated in the senate, sixty members of the Florence Fifer Bohrer Club and approximately 600 other women from across the state traveled to Springfield to witness the event.
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After marrying, Florence became an active member of the community. She was on the committee that founded the
Bloomington Country Club and was a member of the Amateur Musical Club. She also formed the "Mother's Club," which eventually merged with the national
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the official state song. Florence also introduced the
Midwife Bill, which would have provided training and state licensing for midwives. It was not voted into law. She also sponsored 20 bills related to child welfare, half of which became law.
253:(incorrectly titled the Unitarian Hillside School by her in a later article). After graduating in 1895, she returned to Bloomington. Shortly after coming home, she met Jacob Bohrer, who taught
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campaign manager, and women in the county formed the
Florence Fifer Bohrer Club to support her campaign. She succeeded in defeating the current Senator Frank Hanson in the primary election.
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defeated Fifer Bohrer. She returned to
Bloomington, and became chairman of the McLean County Emergency Relief Office. Additionally, the Florence Fifer Bohrer Club was converted into a
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In 1934, Florence was awarded the
Bloomington Community Service Award and in 1945 the Illinois Welfare Association recognized her for her service in social action and justice.
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In 1932, Florence ran for senate for a third time. The recent death of her husband and mother hindered her ability to campaign, and support for the
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During
Florence's sanitarium lobbying, she became acquainted with numerous citizens of McLean County. In 1924, four years after the passing of the
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273:. They married on May 5, 1898. Their first child, Joseph, was born in 1899 and their second child, Gertrude, was born in 1901.
230:. Florence first became interested in politics after listening to her father's discussions with fellow politicians, such as
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Florence Fifer was the youngest of three children born to
Gertrude and Joseph Fifer in Bloomington, Illinois. She lived on
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206:– July 20, 1960) was an American activist and politician in Illinois. She was the daughter of former Illinois governor
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chapter, and Florence served as president. She was elected to the National League Board in 1936.
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until her father was elected as Illinois governor in 1889. That year, the family moved to
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White, Jesse, ed. (2019). "Illinois Legislative Roster — 1818-2019".
618:(3). The Illinois State Historical Society: 304–323. Archived from
605:"The Life oF Florence Fifer Bohrer: Illinois' First Woman Senator"
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641:. Bloomington, IL: McLean County Museum of History.
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245:When she was 15 years old, Florence attended the
648:"Florence Fifer Bohrer: A Woman Before Her Time"
612:Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society
214:. She served for two terms from 1924 to 1932.
652:Illinois History: A Magazine for Young People
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312:, a few friends suggested she run for the
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325:system in Illinois, and a bill that made
65:Learn how and when to remove this message
764:Republican Party Illinois state senators
284:In 1910, Florence's daughter contracted
210:and was the first female senator in the
779:20th-century American women politicians
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735:The Fifer-Bohrer Papers Collection
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784:People from Bloomington, Illinois
774:20th-century American legislators
337:was waning. Democratic candidate
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739:McLean County Museum of History
639:Memoirs: Florence Fifer Bohrer
288:. Seeing the need for a local
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725:Resources in other libraries
680:Illinois Blue Book 2019-2020
669:Illinois Blue Book 1925-1926
603:DeVore, Lola (Autumn 2000).
271:Illinois Wesleyan University
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658:(3): 59–60. Archived from
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720:Resources in your library
267:Illinois State University
212:Illinois General Assembly
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37:may need to be rewritten
251:Spring Green, Wisconsin
343:League of Women Voters
269:while studying law at
107:from the 26th district
711:Florence Fifer Bohrer
228:Springfield, Illinois
204:Bloomington, Illinois
202:(January 24, 1877 in
200:Florence Fifer Bohrer
160:Bloomington, Illinois
81:Florence Fifer Bohrer
310:Nineteenth Amendment
247:Hillside Home School
637:Sealock, Violette.
16:American politician
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232:Richard J. Oglesby
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189:Jacob Bohrer
171:(1960-07-20)
134:Succeeded by
128:Frank Hanson
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41:Please help
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34:lead section
759:1960 deaths
754:1877 births
689:February 7,
587:DeVore 2000
563:DeVore 2000
539:DeVore 2000
515:DeVore 2000
491:DeVore 2000
479:DeVore 2000
455:Thomas 1998
426:DeVore 2000
402:DeVore 2000
390:DeVore 2000
378:DeVore 2000
298:World War I
236:David Davis
124:Preceded by
748:Categories
629:2013-04-16
596:References
575:White 2019
327:"Illinois"
290:sanitarium
218:Early life
181:Republican
294:Red Cross
118:1924–1932
114:In office
551:Sealock
527:Sealock
503:Sealock
467:Sealock
438:Sealock
414:Sealock
296:during
708:about
263:German
186:Spouse
684:(PDF)
623:(PDF)
608:(PDF)
352:Notes
259:Greek
255:Latin
691:2021
261:and
238:and
166:Died
154:Born
249:in
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