Identifier
MA 20
Dates
1918-1987
Extent
0.42 linear feet [1 document case]
Abstract
Gladys Pyle (1890–1989) was a pioneering South Dakota politician and the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate without prior appointment. A graduate of Huron College, she taught high school before becoming the first woman elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives (1923–1927) and later serving as Secretary of State (1927–1931). She was also active in the women’s suffrage movement. In 1938, Pyle won a special election to the U.S. Senate, serving briefly from November 9, 1938, to January 3, 1939. Researchers Jeanette Kinyon and Jean Walz, known for their historical and biographical work, began compiling materials for a biography of Pyle in 1981, conducting interviews and gathering historical records.
The Incredible Gladys Pyle Collection contains clippings, correspondence, financial records, manuscripts, research materials, transcripts, and audiocassettes documenting Pyle’s political career and personal life. It includes book advertisements, correspondence about its publication, and manuscripts under two titles. Audio recordings capture Pyle’s reflections on her career, as well as discussions on political and social issues. The collection serves as a valuable resource for understanding Pyle’s legacy as a political trailblazer, preserving firsthand accounts of her experiences and contributions to South Dakota and national politics.
Historical Note
Gladys Pyle (1890–1989) was a South Dakota politician and the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate without prior appointment. She was also the first female Republican senator, the first female senator from South Dakota, and the first to serve without marrying.
A graduate of Huron College (1911), Pyle taught high school from 1912 to 1918 before entering politics. She became the first woman elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives (1923–1927), later serving as Secretary of State (1927–1931). In 1930, she ran for governor but lost after multiple recounts. She also served on the State Securities Commission (1931–1933) and worked in life insurance.
Pyle and her family were active in the women's suffrage movement, frequently hosting meetings at their home. In 1938, she was elected to the U.S. Senate to complete Peter Norbeck’s term, serving briefly from November 9, 1938, to January 3, 1939.
In 1981, Jeanette Kinyon and Jean Walz began researching Pyle’s life for a biography, gathering materials from interviews, manuscripts, letters, and news reports. This collection represents a selection of their research.
Content Notes
The Incredible Gladys Pyle Collection comprises clippings, correspondence, financial records, manuscripts, research materials, transcripts, and audiocassettes, documenting the life and contributions of Gladys Pyle, a trailblazing political figure in South Dakota.
The clippings include advertisements for the book The Incredible Gladys Pyle and news articles marking Pyle’s 96th birthday. Correspondence features letters discussing the book’s publication, including corrections suggested by Pyle and a handwritten letter from Governor Sigurd Anderson commending her political contributions. Financial records are minimal, consisting of itemized expense lists.
Two manuscripts of the book are included—one with the published title The Incredible Gladys Pyle and another under the alternative title Gladys Pyle: Always a Pioneer. Research materials span from 1918 to 1984, providing historical context. The collection also includes transcripts of interviews with Pyle, some accompanied by notebooks containing interview questions.
The audiocassettes document Pyle’s reflections on her career, including her tenure in Pierre, involvement in the ERA committee, and business endeavors. Additional recordings capture her 90th birthday recollections, childhood memories, and insights into Huron College. Other tapes contain travel logs from unidentified individuals recounting experiences in Taiwan, India, Sri Lanka, China, and Japan, as well as Radio Issues Forum broadcasts from 1976. A recording of guitar music is also included, though its significance is unclear.
This collection provides valuable insight into Pyle’s legacy as a pioneering woman in politics, preserving firsthand accounts of her experiences and historical contributions through written and audio materials.
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Language
English
Publisher
South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.
Recommended Citation
In Copyright: This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copyright Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, publicity, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected Materials beyond what is permitted under fair use.
