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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.