Although Sarah Palin will always hold the distinction of being the first woman elected to the office of governor in the state of Alaska, it is my bet that she will be remembered for more than that. A down-to-earth, hard-working, driven mom, she took on the political establishment –and won.

But where did this lady come from? Why is she so popular? And how is it that she got convincingly elected against a career politician like Frank Murkowski?

Sarah Palin was born in 1964 in Sandpoint, Idaho, the third of four children. Shortly after her birth, her father, teacher Chuck Heath, decided to move the family to Alaska to take advantage of the state’s hunting/fishing/outdoor opportunities. The Heath kids grew up with the wilderness out their door and a set of parents with a strong commitment to family. The whole troop of them would go hunting, camping, fishing, hiking, berry picking or running together. And they sat down in the evenings at the table and ate together too, discussing current events alongside the activities of the children.

The family eventually ended up in Wasilla, where Sarah attended high school. It was here she met her future husband, Todd, as well as learning discipline, goal-setting, and teamwork through her participation on the basketball team that won the State Championship her senior year. Following high school, Sarah went to college for a couple of years in Hawaii, but transferred to North Idaho College and then on to University of Idaho, Moscow, where she earned her degree in journalism with a minor in political science. Upon graduation, she returned to Alaska and took a job as a weekend sportscaster for KTUU-TV in Anchorage. She married Todd Palin, her high school sweetheart soon after and they started a family. While Todd worked for British Petroleum on the North Slope, Sarah became the busy homemaker, raising the kids, working for short stints at the TV station, and spending time with friends and family.

Eventually, though, Sarah’s drive and passion for making a difference pushed her to get involved in local politics. First she served two terms on the Wasilla City Council, followed by two terms as Wasilla’s mayor. She was also appointed as ethics commissioner on the state’s Oil and Gas Conservation Commission during the Murkowski administration. As her political experience grew, she became known as a person of integrity, choosing ethical behavior and moral principles over party support. She demonstrated that she was not afraid to take on powerful party politicians if she felt a wrong or injustice was being done. She eventually resigned her appointment as ethics commissioner in protest to the lack of response from the administration over the conflict of interest issue surrounding Randy Ruedrich, who also served on the Oil and Gas Commission and was the GOP’s party commissioner as well.

It was this controversy that brought her to the attention of Alaskan’s across the state. When the FBI began investigating ethics violations of Alaska’s legislators, voters took note. Tired of politicians who appeared to look out for their own best interests and the interests of their supporters, Alaskans were ready for a change. And this is what Sarah Palin represented. The timing of her bid for the governorship could not have been better.

But it was not only timing and the voter desire for change. Sarah Palin is a breath of fresh air in politics. She has set out to keep campaign promises, including selling off the state jet purchased amidst public uproar by her predecessor. She seems to remain the down-to-earth next door neighbor, despite her high profile and popularity. Small acts, such as deciding a state paid chef is not necessary on a daily basis when her family is at the governor’s mansion in Juneau, or taking the time to visit a local kindergarten class (and actually interact with the kids, not just stand in the doorframe “observing”), resound with voters, contributing to her image as “one of us.” And while she may be flattered by talk of her possibility as VP in the upcoming national election, it is clear that she remains committed to Alaska and doing what she can for its people.

This spring, Palin shocked the legislature by announcing that she was pregnant. In mid April, Trig Van Paxson was born, joining siblings Track, 18, Bristol, 17, Willow 13, and Piper, 7 as part of the close and supportive family. While her pregnancy was greeted with mild (and mostly delighted) surprise, people were perhaps even more astonished when it became known that Trig was born with Down syndrome. Palin has staunchly expressed her “right to life” viewpoints, and this is yet another example of her integrity and adherence to her beliefs despite the difficulties it might bring. At the moment I heard this news, I gained a great deal of respect for our governor.

Though I don’t expect to always agree with her policy decisions, she is a person that I can respect and trust to do what she thinks is in the best interest of the people she is serving. And that is more important to me (and I think to many other Alaskans) than conformity to a predetermined set of political beliefs.