In 1997 Edwards was defeated for reappointment as adjutant general, losing the legislature's election to Martha Rainville.Vermont General Assembly, Journal of Proceedings, February 20, 1997 (In Vermont, the adjutant general is elected for a two-year term by a secret ballot of the Vermont General Assembly.)Vermont Emergency Management Agency, Annex O, Vermont Emergency Management Plan, 2011, page 1 Rainville became the first woman to ever be appointed as a state adjutant general.Deseret News, Guard Commander, February 21, 1997Boston Globe,Vt. Guard is First Headed by Woman, March 3, 1997 Edwards retired from the military upon Rainville assuming the adjutant general's duties.
