There’s not much more to add to the extensive media analysis of Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s eight years in office that come to an end Jan. 1.

By now, most people have made up their minds about what they think of her record. A few more words from a columnist aren’t going to change those opinions.

But the one aspect of Granholm’s tenure that hasn’t been much discussed is the impact she had in inspiring women and in serving as a role model for girls.

Granholm broke through the political glass ceiling by becoming the first female governor in Michigan’s history.

Think about that for a second. Michigan has been a state for nearly 174 years, and in that time only one woman ascended to the office of governor. I’m not sure if that’s remarkable or just sad.

Maybe I’m not the right person to assess what Granholm’s leadership of our state meant to women. As my wife and daughters often say to me, rolling their eyes, when we discuss gender issues, “That’s the way a man would look at it.”

But I can tell you that Granholm inspired the women in my family. She was the first governor they wanted to meet, and they were able to do so.

My youngest daughter, completely on her own and with no unhelpful meddling by her father, sought and obtained an internship in the governor’s office last summer. It was an invaluable growth experience for her.

Several prominent women I contacted for this column told me that however Granholm is judged politically, she will be remembered as someone who inspired a new generation of women to leadership.

“I don’t think the impact of having someone in a top job who looks like you can be understated,” said Terry Barclay, president of Inforum, a statewide professional women’s alliance.

“It sends an incredible, nonverbal, visceral message that anything is possible. I think Gov. Granholm’s leadership has been very positive for girls in this state.”

Former Michigan First Lady Paula Blanchard Stone told me Granholm’s leadership offers important lessons for women pursuing private careers or public life.

“The first thing that has been so gratifying to me is how comfortable she is wearing power,” said Stone, the ex-wife of former Gov. James Blanchard. “She has executive presence in spades. She looks and acts like a leader. That’s something that doesn’t come naturally to many women.”

Stone is a principal in McCarthy-Blanchard, which specializes in counseling top executives and emerging leaders on their presentation skills and executive presence.

Another businesswoman told me she admires Granholm for becoming Michigan’s first female governor, and appreciates her warmth and charisma.

But, in criticism that’s been leveled against the governor by those of both genders, Kelly Rossman-McKinney said she’s disappointed Granholm wasn’t more forceful in pushing and sticking to her political agenda.

“Many, many women I know are disappointed in her from that perspective,” said Rossman, chief executive officer of the Rossman Group, a public relations firm in Lansing.

Interestingly, many men who supported President Barack Obama’s election also criticize him for not pushing harder against his Republican opponents.

But that doesn’t diminish Obama’s accomplishment of becoming America’s first black president.

Likewise, Granholm was a trailblazer in Michigan. And I suspect that many women who follow her in politics and business will have taken inspiration from her leadership.

At least that’s how one man looks at it.

E-mail Rick Haglund at haglund.rick@gmail.com.