Brankin is a graduate of the University of Aberdeen and before entering the Scottish Parliament she was a teacher and a lecturer on special educational needs.

[2] She had a mastectomy at St. John's Hospital in Livingston, which successfully removed the cancer.

[4] In October 2004 she was appointed Deputy Minister for Health and Community care, returning to the Environment and Rural Development portfolio in June 2005.

[6] Following Labour's defeat at the hands of the SNP at the May 2007 election, Brankin became shadow Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning.

[8] Prior to the 2011 elections, Brankin announced her decision not to stand for re-election, retiring from Holyrood after 12 years.