Smaby, Alpha Sunde
House 1965-68 (District 41)
Party when first elected: Nonpartisan Election-Liberal Caucus
Counties Served:
Hennepin
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Date of Birth:
2/11/1910
Birth Place:
Sacred Heart, Minnesota
Birth County:
Renville
Birth Country:
United States
Date of Death:
7/18/1991
Gender:
Female
Religion:
Reported Minority: None Reported
Other Names:
City of Residence (when first elected):
Minneapolis
Occupation (when first elected):
Housewife/Former Teacher, Minneapolis Schools, 4 Years/Former Employee, Cargill Inc.
EDUCATION
Peterson High School; Secondary; Graduate, 1926
University of Minnesota; B.A.; Magna Cum Laude
Winona State Teachers College; College Graduate; 1928?
Masters Degree; History, 1982
OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE
State Board/Commission/Council:
Minnesota Governor's Commission on Status of Women;
19?? to 19??
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
Spouse:
Arthur J. Smaby (married in 1939, he died in 1972)
Children:
Three children: Marit, Karlin, and Jan (hosted the Almanac public affairs program on Public TV) (daughters)
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
GENERAL NOTES
She was of Norwegian ancestry.
She was raised in Peterson, Minnesota. She eventually moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota and taught school for 4 years. She then worked at Cargill Inc. until she got married in 1939. She moved to her lake home on Lake Vermillion by Cook, Minnesota around 1982. She moved to St. Paul, Minnesota around 1989.
She was a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. (Minnesota Legislative Commission on the Economic Status of Women)
"She is no longer a Democrat. After numerous trips to observe the workings of governments in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, she is more comfortable labeling herself a socialist." (Tomson, Ellen. " 'Just Voting' Was Never Enough for Peace Campaigner." St. Paul Pioneer Press, December 6, 1987, p. 13B)
She was an unsuccessful candidate for the Minnesota House of Representatives in a contested 1968 election with John P. Skeate and Edward R. Brandt.
She ran unsuccessfully for the Minneapolis City Council in the 1969 election.
Her father was a Justice of the Peace.
She died from cancer at home in St. Paul, Minnesota. A memorial service was held at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Elected: 11/8/1966
Residence: Minneapolis
Term of Office: 1/3/1967 to 1/6/1969
Counties Represented:
Hennepin
Occupation: Housewife
Party:
Nonpartisan Election-Liberal Caucus
Party Notes: She was a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. (Minnesota Legislative Commission on the Economic Status of Women)
Committees:
-
Cities of the First Class
-
Civil Administration
-
Health and Welfare
-
Metropolitan and Urban Affairs
-
University and College
Ran in next election? Yes. Defeated in general election
Elected: 11/3/1964
Residence: Minneapolis
Term of Office: 1/5/1965 to 1/2/1967
Counties Represented:
Hennepin
Occupation: Housewife/Former Teacher, Minneapolis Schools, 4 Years/Former Employee, Cargill Inc.
Party:
Nonpartisan Election-Liberal Caucus
Party Notes: She was a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. (Minnesota Legislative Commission on the Economic Status of Women)
Committees:
-
Civil Administration
-
Health and Welfare
-
Metropolitan and Urban Affairs
-
University
Articles & Books By
Smaby, Alpha. Political Upheaval: Minnesota and the Vietnam War Protest. Meyers Printing, 1987.
Articles & Books About
Pheifer, Pat. "Legislator Alpha Sunde Smaby Dies; Was Active in Politics, Antiwar Effort (Obituary)." Star Tribune, July 19, 1991.
Villalva Lijo, Lydia. "Liberal Role Model, Peace Activist Alpha Smaby Dies (Obituary)." St. Paul Pioneer Press, July 19, 1991, p. 1C, 6C.
Blake, Laurie. "Ex-Legislators/Where Are They Now?" Star Tribune, March 14, 1988.
Egerstrom, Lee. "Painful Politics Alpha Smaby Remembers the Minnesota Miseries of 1968." St. Paul Pioneer Press Dispatch, March 13, 1988, p. 9D.
Spaeth, Robert L. "State DFL's 1968 'Civil War' Recounted in Smaby Book." Star Tribune, January 24, 1988, p. 8F.
Tomson, Ellen. " 'Just Voting' Was Never Enough for Peace Campaigner." St. Paul Pioneer Press, December 6, 1987, p. 1B, 12B, 13B.
Haga, Chuck. "20 Years After Their Fight, Antiwar Activists to Meet." Star Tribune, December 4, 1987, p. 1A, 8A.
Owen, Linda. "Political Sidelines Comfortable for Ex-Legislator Alpha Smaby." St. Paul Pioneer Press, February 8, 1982.
"...of Social Concern (NSP Board)." Minnesota Daily, April 3, 1973.
Fuller, Jim. "Consumer Braves Maze, Seeks NSP Post." Minneapolis Tribune, March 26, 1973.
"Mrs. Smaby Proposed for NSP Board Seat." Minneapolis Tribune, February 15, 1973.
Whereatt, Robert. "Vote to Unseat Brandt Delayed." St. Paul Pioneer Press, April 20, 1969.
Shoop, Jim. "Attacks Campaign 'Lies,' Mrs. Smaby Still Seeks Seat." Minneapolis Star, April 1, 1969.
Smaby v. Brandt (and Skeate), Minnesota Journal of the House, 1969.
- Cover sheet and various pages from the Minnesota Journal of the House, 1969 related to the contested 1968 election.
These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.