Dwyer, Florence Price, 1902-1976

Florence Price Dwyer (July 4, 1902 – February 29, 1976) was an American politician who represented much of Essex County, New Jersey in the United States House of Representatives from 1957 to 1973. From 1967 to 1973, she also represented parts of Union County, New Jersey. A Republican, she was the second woman to be elected to the United States House of Representatives from New Jersey. Dwyer was an advocate for women's rights throughout her political career.

Born Florence Louise Price in Reading, Pennsylvania, she was educated in the public schools of Reading and Toledo, Ohio before briefly attended college at the University of Toledo. Price left college to marry M. Joseph Dwyer, the Toledo football coach and, later, an industrial relations executive. After moving to Elizabeth, New Jersey, she joined the Republican Club there. In time, she worked as a lobbyist and as a secretary for state assemblyman Joseph Brescher. When Brescher retired in 1949, Dwyer succeeded him, serving from 1949 to 1957 and eventually rising to the assistant majority leader post.

...