Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1918-1987 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
0.42 linear feet (1 document case), 13 audiocassettes
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
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.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
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 pub-lication, including corrections suggested by Pyle and a handwritten letter from Governor Sig-urd 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 materi-als 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 re-cording of guitar music is also included, though its significance is unclear.
This collection provides 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.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Information request form: Ask Us!
- This collection is open for research in the Reading Room; materials cannot be checked out.
- Not all materials are digitized due to copyright, donor restrictions, or physical condition.
- Contact us in advance to prepare for your visit. If you cannot visit, we will do our best to help remotely.
Telephone: 605-688-5094
Email: arcrefs@sdstate.edu
Conditions governing reproduction
Reproduction of materials from the collection is subject to the following conditions:
- Permission: Written permission must be obtained from the SDSU Archives for any reproduction, publication, or quotation of materials.
- Copyright: Users are responsible for complying with copyright laws and securing any necessary permissions from copyright holders.
- Fragile Materials: Some items may not be reproduced due to their fragile condition.
- Charges: Reproduction charges may apply, and users will be informed of any costs in advance.
- Acknowledgment: Any reproduced material must include proper acknowledgment of the South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections as the source.
For more information or to request permission, please contact the SDSU Archives.
Language of material
English
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Using this inventory
- This inventory lists the collection’s materials; not all are digitized due to copyright, restrictions, or condition.
- If available, digital links appear in the folder details. Select a folder title and scroll down to view the record details.
Finding aids
Uploaded finding aid
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
The incredible Gladys Pyle, by Jeanette Kinyon and Jean Walz
Vermillion, S.D. : Dakota Press, 1985.
Call number: E656.P9 K56 1985
Notes area
Note
Copyright and Use Statement
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, 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.
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Pyle, Gladys, 1890-1989 (Subject)