Sarah Heath Palin was the first woman governor of Alaska, and the second woman and first Republican to be a major party candidate for the vice presidency of the United States. Palin joined the 2008 ticket with John McCain. She was also the first woman candidate for U.S. executive office who, at time of nomination, had children under the age of majority. Palin is the mother of five children: sons Track (1989) and Trig (2008), and daughters Bristol (1990), Willow (1995), and Piper (2001).

Palin was born Sarah Louise Heath on February 11, 1964, to Chuck and Sally Heath. Sarah grew up in Wasilla, Alaska, receiving a B.A. from the University of Idaho in 1987. In 1984, Palin won the Miss Wasilla pageant, and was second ...