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Report on the Life and Public Service of Dr. Lois Tarkanian

This report details the passing and legacy of Dr. Lois Tarkanian, a prominent figure in Nevada’s education and political sectors. Her extensive career is analyzed through the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting her significant contributions to community and institutional development.

Summary of Public Service

Dr. Tarkanian’s career was marked by a profound commitment to public service, particularly in the fields of education and local governance. Her key roles demonstrate a lifelong dedication to strengthening community institutions.

• Founder of California’s first private day school for deaf children.
• Elected member of the Clark County School Board, serving for 12 years starting in 1988.
• Elected member of the Las Vegas City Council, serving from 2005 until 2019.
• Elected to the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents in 2020.

Contributions to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Dr. Tarkanian’s work directly aligns with several key SDGs, underscoring a legacy that advanced inclusive and sustainable development within her community.

SDG 4: Quality Education

Dr. Tarkanian’s career was foundational to advancing inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.

• Her 12-year tenure on the Clark County School Board was dedicated to improving primary and secondary education systems.
• As an NSHE Regent, she influenced policy and governance for higher education, contributing to the state’s educational infrastructure.
• Her personal involvement in teaching at various universities further exemplifies her commitment to this goal.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

A significant aspect of her legacy is her direct action to reduce inequalities by empowering vulnerable populations through education.

• Dr. Tarkanian established the first private day school for deaf children in California, a pioneering effort to provide specialized, high-quality education for individuals with disabilities.
• This initiative directly addressed educational disparities and promoted the social and academic inclusion of a marginalized group.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Through her long-term service in municipal government, Dr. Tarkanian contributed to making Las Vegas more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

• During her 14 years on the Las Vegas City Council, she was instrumental in local governance and community development.
• Described as a “neighborhood champion,” her work focused on addressing local needs and improving the quality of urban life for residents.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

Dr. Tarkanian’s extensive career in elected office demonstrates a commitment to building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

• Her continuous service across various public bodies—from a local school board to the city council and the state’s higher education regents—helped shape and strengthen the institutions vital for public welfare.
• This sustained participation in democratic processes underscores a legacy of reinforcing the institutional frameworks necessary for a just and peaceful society.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

Based on the article’s focus on Lois Tarkanian’s career in education and public service, the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are relevant:

• SDG 4: Quality Education: The article extensively details her lifelong involvement in education, from founding a school for deaf children to serving on the Clark County school board and the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: As a woman who successfully held multiple elected public offices over several decades, her career exemplifies progress in women’s participation and leadership in public life.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: Her service on the Las Vegas City Council, a local government body, and other elected boards relates to the goal of building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

The article’s content points to several specific SDG targets:

1. Target 4.5: “By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations.”
   • Explanation: The article explicitly mentions that Tarkanian “founded the state’s first private day school for deaf children,” which is a direct action aimed at ensuring equal access to education for a vulnerable group (persons with disabilities).
2. Target 5.5: “Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.”
   • Explanation: Her extensive career in public office, being “elected to the Clark County school board in 1988,” “elected to the Las Vegas City Council” in 2005, and “elected to the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents in 2020,” directly demonstrates a woman’s full and effective participation in political and public decision-making.
3. Target 16.7: “Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.”
   • Explanation: Tarkanian’s repeated election to various public bodies, including the school board and city council, reflects a system of participatory and representative governance where citizens elect individuals to make decisions on their behalf.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article provides information that can be seen as qualitative or direct examples related to official SDG indicators:

• For Target 4.5: While no quantitative data is provided, the article’s statement that she “founded the state’s first private day school for deaf children” serves as a powerful qualitative indicator. It demonstrates a tangible action and the establishment of an institution to ensure educational access for students with disabilities.
• For Target 5.5: The article provides direct evidence relating to Indicator 5.5.1 (“Proportion of seats held by women in (a) national parliaments and (b) local governments”). Her election to and holding of seats on the “Clark County school board” and the “Las Vegas City Council” are concrete examples that would contribute to the data for this indicator.
• For Target 16.7: The article implies progress by describing a functioning system of local democracy. Her participation in elections, winning seats on the city council and school board, and serving her terms are all implicit indicators of a system that allows for “participatory and representative decision-making.”

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: sjvsun.com