Has the elevation of Sarah Palin's public persona been good or bad for women in America?

"I believe it's had both effects. She has a somewhat alienating personality and hasn't always been presented well in the media, but the fact that one of the two major parties had a women on the ticket as a vice-presidential candidate has opened the door for women in some ways."
--Erin Hyman, 28, an office manager/delivery driver from Athens

"I don't know if it has actually affected "the women of America" at all; I think a lot of people see her as a beauty queen, and some see her as a pundit. I don't think she's powerful enough in the media or in our society to have any general effect."
--Catherine Maynard, 22, graduate student at Nelsonville

"I think it's been mostly negative. She's seen as too opinionated and hypocritical. Not to mention, I feel kind of embarrassed for her when I watch sound bites from interviews."
--Natalie Knoth, 21, a student/journalism major from Athens

"Good, at least for me. It helps me define exactly what I don't want to be as a woman. Search "palinisms" on the internet and you'll see for yourself."
--Amanda Sharrai, 33, a community organizer from Athens

"Good and bad, depending on which side of the fence you are peeping through. The media alternately portray her as visionary, strong and dedicated or as a bumbling fool who could not string together an intelligent sentence without a teleprompter and an hour of coaching."
--Amie Nogrady, 42, a freelance writer from Glouster

"BAD. Sarah Palin is a younger, less clever Phyllis Schlafly. More women should certainly run for and serve in public office. But Palin, O'Donnell, Angle, Bachman etc. are proponents of anti-woman legislation These women are friends of the fetus who don't care whether women got pregnant through rape or incest! If they cared for women and their families and the exploding population of the earth, they would not force on women a motherhood which may have resulted from devilish behavior."
--Lois D. Whealey, 78, a citizen activist/independent humanities scholar from Athens

"I personally don't agree with her views and I find her whole persona grating, That bias stated, it's hard for me to see her as a good thing for women - a lot of her views are counter-intuitive to things many people have worked very hard to establish. On the other hand, it's good to remember that there are people of all walks of life and while she's not my cup of tea, others most certainly look up to her. I think it's good for women to have multiple strong, influential women to choose from to admire, even if I, personally, do not."
--Caitlin Seida, 21, a freelance writer from Nelsonville

"Personally, I don't trust the woman. She is very vocal about what she stands for, but I don't feel it is what all Americans want or need. I would not vote for her in any election. When she chose to leave office in Alaska, it showed me that she does not follow through on her own promises. Integrity is very important to me."
--Jennifer Cooper, 42, with a non-profit from Stewart

"Sarah Palin is a powerful women. She is rich and famous and controversial. For some women this is a good role model, but for me Sarah Palin is small-minded. I think in some aspects Palin is beneficial for women, especially women trying to work there way up the political ladder. But for other women she is intellectually clumsy and portrays an outlandish persona that turns men and women off on her."
--Kari Lowery, 18, a student from Athens

"Bad. I'm sorry, but to me, Sarah Palin is a ditz who has used her publicity to aggrandize herself, to the detriment of women who really WANT to work in the political arena."
--Anne Whitman, 60, an adjunct instructor from Athens

"I admire Sarah Palin. I have to say that it took a great deal of courage to step up and put herself out there. Needless to say, she was a target for reckless comments and publicity. I don't see how anyone can begin to chastise her.... I believe that the choices and standards she upholds are greater than that of other leaders."
--Tomma Shuler, 37, in health-care management from Athens

"She really does not bother me. I am not saying that I agree with her on everything but at the same time I do not see her as the downfall of women. I believe there are many other woman out there who are more of a risk of that than Sarah Palin."
--Kate, Nelsonville, 24, a cook/dietary aide from Nelsonville

"I am not a fan of Sarah Palin. I would have to say that it is bad for women in America. I honestly don't know how people take her seriously."
--Missy Brown, 40, an RN Clinical Manager from The Plains

"Bad... she is a horrible leader and people will think that all women will be like her."
--Amber Skorpenske, 20, a student from Pittsburgh

"Women in America are already strong. Look at what we do every day."
--Jessie Daniel, 38, a realtor from Glouster

"I believe Sarah Palin has become popular for the wrong reasons - instead of being a voice of reason for women in America, she's become a representation of the stereotypical women. Not thinking before you speak, spending too much (of other people's money) on fashion, judging others while pretending that her own home life is perfect - these are not things I want to be associated with as a woman in America."
--Billie Handa, 29, Director of Development, NBIA, from Nelsonville

"I don't think it has been negative because most people know that she is an extreme of most females (but it definitely hasn't been positive). She has been turned into a joke so I don't think people take her persona seriously."
--Daniella Limoli, 20, a student from Athens

"I think it has had a negative effect on women and on politics, just as other politicians' actions and words have negatively reflected on men and politicians. I think a big deal is made about her because she is a woman, but a person's political stance and public service record should stand on its own, independent of gender. If a man said the same things and did the same things she has done, what would the result be? Probably not nearly as much press. I don't think anyone deserves more coverage or should get less due to their gender."
--Janice Phelps Williams, 54, a publisher, writer, illustrator from Athens

"I love seeing women in powerful positions. However, I don't think that Sarah Palin is a good example to women in America especially to women in rural Athens County. She was pushing her young daughter to get married at such a young age! We don't need a role model like that for girls in this town; they see those kinds of things every day! We need a strong women who says 'Hey, ladies, it's OK if you made a mistake and had yourself a baby when you were still a kid yourself... You can still make it on your own without giving yourself to some man for the rest of your life! Now let's work hard, go to college and make something of ourselves!'"
--Shana Snyder, 22, graduate student/substitute teacher from Athens

"Politics aside, I think it is a good thing that she has been so active in the government. I don't believe that people have problems with her being in a position of power because she's a woman. Rather, their issues are with her persona, agenda and demeanor. This has nothing to do with her gender, and I do think that a lot of people realize that."
--Marisa Welch, 23, a sales associate and student library assistant from Athens

"I believe that having Sarah Palin in the limelight has been horrible for women in America. Palin has no respect for women's rights (as an avid supporter for the overturning of Roe v. Wade, etc), she is ignorant even of the simplest facts, and she lies (anyone remember the "Bridge to Nowhere" and "I can see Russia from my home" comments?). It is truly sad that the Republican Party made this woman famous, and gave her the idea that she was a good politician, role model, and has the ability to run this country, all because they were trying to find someone who could be their party's version of a strong female politician (a la Hillary Clinton for the Democrats). Palin, if looked upon as a spokeswoman for the female population of this country, would make us all look ignorant and unworthy of the equal rights that we have been striving so long to achieve."

--Ellen Lambert, 27, a full-time aunt from Albany

"Bad news. She is the antithesis of feminism."
--Alexa Ross, Nelsonville, 63, a retired motel manager/actress from Nelsonville

"I believe that Sarah Palin's image has not been a positive impact on today's women in general. I think the woman has done a lot of good but she is portrayed more by her image (sex symbol) than the average working wife /mother in today's society. I think that only the negative comments made by her are the ones that are remembered."
--Tabitha Bond, 40, a business owner from Coolville

"Bad. Very, very bad. This is one ignorant woman who does not speak for the majority of American women, no matter what she might think of herself. That she is endorsing candidates who are winning elections does not speak well for the American electorate. This is not a reality show, it's life, and folks had better start waking up and realizing the imminent danger we're in if the secessionists and tea partiers get in power. You want less government? You'll get it with these folks. They couldn't run a household, much less Congress."
--Debbie Williams, 60, a paralegal from Millfield

"Bad."
--Darcie Hartley, 36, office assistant -- ABH, from Albany