Palin, Sarah

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 runner-up in the 1984 Miss Alaska pageant. She married Todd Palin in 1988. Palin's early career was as a sports reporter and in her family's fishing business. In 1992, Palin was elected to Wasilla City Council, serving two three-year terms, before serving as mayor from 1996 to 2002. During the late 1990s to early 2000s, Palin was active in Alaska's Republican Party. While mayor of Wasilla and afterward, she built a reputation for challenging the political establishment on ethical and fiscal issues. Palin made an unsuccessful bid for Lieutenant Governor in 2002. She was elected governor in 2006, with a campaign platform based on cleaning up government.

Palin's selection by McCain's campaign in August 2008 was a surprise; nationally she was largely unknown. She brought youth, pro-life religious conservatism, and a woman's perspective to the ticket. Women voters disappointed by the defeat of Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primaries identified with [Page 965]Palin's “hockey mom” persona, as comfortable in the parent-teacher association (PTA) as in government. Her candidacy sparked debate about mothers in politics. Religious conservatives, who traditionally favor a family-first ideal, lauded her achievements and the sociopolitical value of her candidacy for women.

Political liberals, who traditionally foster women's balance of family and career, expressed concern for her family's well-being, given the demands of a high-level executive position. This argument, labeled by some as sexist, was fueled by the issue of her 17-year-old daughter's out-of-wedlock pregnancy and her newborn son's Down syndrome. Palin's combination of beauty queen, accomplished sportswoman, tough politician, and mother of five was considered an icon for a new wave of feminism.