 During her time at the University of Minnesota, Maley was introduced to socialist ideas and became a committed adherent.She joined the Socialist Labor Party of America and was the recording secretary of Section Minneapolis of that organization in 1899 when it cast its support with a dissident faction that attempted to depose powerful party leader Daniel DeLeon and his associates from the National Executive Committee.Maley was elected the first Secretary of Local Minneapolis of the Socialist Party of America at the time of its formation late in the summer of 1901.