Prior to becoming the first woman Governor of Alaska in December of 2006 Sarah Palin was Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska and a member of the Wasilla City Council. She has also served as chair of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission and chair of the National Governors Association (NGA)Natural Resources Committee. Palin also sat on the Alaska Conservation Commission, and was chosen to serve as president of the Alaska Conference of Mayors.
Sarah Heath Palin moved to Alaska with her parents in 1964. A graduate of Wasilla High School, she received her degree in Journalism with a minor in political science from the University of Idaho in 1987.
Sarah Palin is married to Todd Palin, a production operator on the North Slope. They have five children. Their son Track serves in the U.S. Army.