Sarah Palin Biography

Fast Facts

• Named a distinguished alumni of North Idaho College in 2008
• Earned her bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Idaho
• Previously attended the University of Hawaii, Hawaii Pacific University, North Idaho College and Matanuska-Susitna College
• After earning a journalism degree, she would begin her career as an on-air personality for KTUU and KTVA in Anchorage
• After serving on the Wasilla City Council for four years, she would be elected as mayor of the same city in 1996, eventually serving two, three-year terms
• Launched her own political action committee, SarahPAC, in January of 2009
• Appointed to the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission in 2003 following an unsuccessful run at lieutenant governor
• Chosen as running mate for presidential hopeful John McCain in August of 2008, thus becoming the first female to receive the Republican nomination
• Sworn in as governor of Alaska in December of 2006, becoming the state's first female governor
• Competed for the crown of Miss Alaska in 1984, where she finished third
• Just six months into her first term as Alaska governor, her approval rating would reach 93%, a statistic that would never dip below 54%
• Earned the nickname "Sarah barracuda" in high school after leading her team to the state basketball championship