Brynhild Haugland was born on July 28, 1905 to Nels and Sigurda (Ringoen) Haugland in Minot, North Dakota. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Minot State College in 1956.

She was a teacher from 1924-25, before embarking on an active career in Republican politics. She was a North Dakota State Representative from 1939-1983, serving in eighteen regular and two special sessions of the legislature. She was also part of the Ward County Zoning Commission, Board of Directors International Peace Garden and vice-president, Farmers Union, National Retired Teachers Association, as well as many other organizations.

Haugland received many honors and awards, such as Minot's Woman of the Year (1956, 1971), Minot State College Alumni Golden Award for Outstanding Service (1968), North Dakota Outstanding "Women in Law" (1973), State Bar Association "Liberty Bell Award" (1983), and Public Health Association of North Dakota "Merit Award" for Outstanding Service to Public Health (1983).

Brynhild Haugland died on August 9, 1998 in Minot.