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Please Introduce Yourself
Posted on October 11, 2006 by Suzan Nolan
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Tell us about your background and qualifications, and why you are running?
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Candidate Responses
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Suzan Nolan
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Who am I, really? I'm your neighbor and/or friend, and I've lived and worked in Rapid City for the past 35 years. My career in the school system was as a high school English teacher and then a psychometrist, and finally a school counselor. I've taught children from kindergarten through graduate school. I loved my profession and was the Midwest vice president of the American School Counselors Assoc frm 2000-02, and always active at the state level in advocating for kids and school counselors. I now sit on a national accreditation board which accredits masters level counseling programs in universities across the US and Canada. I love kids, all ages, sizes, colors, and persuasions. They have been my greatest teachers. I have learned the value of humor, not taking life too seriously and the great importance of play from the kids I've worked with and loved. I have 5 step grand-children and a thousand who I've helped grow up over the course of my career. I am a people person and love meeting and developing relationships with people across the globe. I also love travelling and have learned so much about a broader world perspective from being in 3rd world countries. I worked for the DODDS school system as a school counselor and lived in Germany for two years. I'm married to my best friend and a person who has taught me so much about not taking myself too seriously, Ken Burnham. He'a retired high school principal, who makes me laugh every day, sometimes at myself and often at the amusing things that happen in our lives.
Why should voters support me? I have thought about that a lot. There are, without a doubt, people who know more about politics than I do. However, I think this should be a race about people, not politics and so I entered this race. Why did I do that? Because I've watched politics in Dist 32 for years and I've seen that people who are Democrats, who are very good candidates, don't get elected here. So why is it different this year? Why would I step out and do this risky thing like put myself out there for everyone to decide how smart, capable, or attractive I am or am not? Because I have been to Pierre, I have watched the legislature in session and I've decided that these people do not have some magic power or ability that I don't have. They just did what I'm doing, they took the risk to participate in a full and real way.They are good caring citizens who, like me, want to make a difference. They are also caught up in a system that seems to be broken. Through the legislation of the last session, we have created a situation in SD where people are tremendously divided over very personal issues, issues that should never have been decided by the government. That's why I entered the race; I am concerned about the direction our legislature has taken us; the agenda appears to be driven by an ultra conservative group who wants to focus on personal issues rather than state issues, such as funding our schools, providing health care to women and children, jobs that pay a living wage, energy, and health insurance. So what do I bring to the table as a candidate? I bring the skills of a listener, who believes that people are best represented when they are listened to respectfully, and issues are studied from many different perspectives. I am a person of faith and I believe my particular approach to my spiritual values should be practiced by me in a very private way; I do not expect anyone else to follow my path nor do I wish to be forced into or referred to as a sinner for not following anothers. I love Jesus, the Jew, but also all the Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddists, and the pagans, too. I respect people of all faiths, or lack of faith, just where they are. I think that's what we all want is the chance to be who we are and live in a society that allows us to be who we are.It doesn't feel like this is happening in SD.
I bring to this race the skills to help solve problems among people of deeply differing viewpoints. I have honed and trained those skills through my work as a mediator for Restorative Justice where I help bring together victims and offenders of crime to talk about how to repair the harm that's been done. I bring the skills of being with people in good ways from working as a volunteer in the jail for the past 7 years doing women's support groups and for the past 3 years a meditation group for women. I know intimately the pain that incarceration places on people, the shame and despair that life in jail can bring. I've learned to sit with these people and share this burden with them while advocating on the outside for them. This is the perspective I bring to this race; the perspective that we are all in this together and that what happens to the least of these people, happens also to me and to all of us. I think this perspective of compassion and tolerance is needed in our state today. I think our system is broken and it needs fixing. I have the skills to help with that.
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Posted By Suzan Nolan on October 12, 2006 11:36
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Both Democrats and Republicans say job creation, education, and healthcare are the major election issues. My background in business, education, healthcare, and the nonprofit sector gives me the knowledge I need to be effective in addressing these complex issues.
Business experience
Owner of a small business that specializes in project management, fundraising, and grant writing
Small businesses offer the best new job opportunities. A statewide affordable health insurance plan for business owners would help innovators and investors start new businesses in South Dakota.
Healthcare experience
Six years as a pharmaceutical sales representative in South Dakota Four years working in direct patient healthcare at Rapid City Regional Hospital
My experience in the healthcare field gives me an understanding of the challenges faced by patients and by healthcare providers.
Education and nonprofit experience
Executive director of Women's Connection, a resource and advocacy center in Rapid City
Director of education and volunteer services at the Journey Museum
Educational outreach coordinator at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
Classroom volunteer in the Rapid City Area Schools
As a parent and as a citizen I know the importance of quality education. My goal as a legislator will include increasing funding for education by limiting the growth of government.
Service and honors
Board member of the South Dakota Advocacy Network for Women
Member of community service clubs Nominated for the Athena Award
Failure is Impossible Award honoring service to women in South Dakota
I have a strong commitment to public service. Serving in the Legislature is part of that commitment.
Education
B.A. in sociology with a concentration in criminal justice Master's degree in education
Political philosophy
I believe that the solutions to the challenges facing South Dakota will be home grown ones. We can't look to out-of-state sources to fix our economy, our healthcare system, or our education system. It's up to us. I'm rolling up my sleeves. I hope you'll join me.
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Posted By Pam Hemmingsen on October 17, 2006 19:18
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