Gladys Pyle interview, November 1979

Content Description

The collection consists of three audiocassette tapes of an interview done by Steven Shaefer with Gladys Pyle in November 1979. The interview was conducted in Gladys Pyle’s home at Huron (S.D.). At the time of the interview, Stephen Schaefer was a journalism student at the University of Wisconsin and applied to Readers’ Digest for funds to perform an interview with Gladys Pyle. Mr. Schaefer received airfare to travel to Huron to conduct the interview. The interview article was used for a college class but was never published. A copy of that article is included with the collection. Gladys Pyle was born October 4, 1890 to John and Mamie (Shields) Pyle in Huron (S.D.). She graduated from Huron College in 1911 and taught at several high schools until 1918. In 1923 she became the first female member of the South Dakota State House of Representatives, serving from 1923–1927. Pyle then served as South Dakota Secretary of State from 1927–1931. She ran unsuccessfully for the Republican Party (GOP) nomination for Governor in 1930. She was a member of the State Securities Commission from 1931–1933. She was also the first woman elected to the United States Senate without having previously been appointed to her position in November of 1938, serving until January 1939, making her the first female Republican member of the Senate. She worked in the life insurance business in her private life. She died March 14, 1989.

Acquisition Type

Gift

Provenance

Donated and created by Steven Schaefer

Restrictions Apply

No