The last few days have been very Intense, and exciting for me, as it also has been for so many others.  Many who know me are aware that it finally took 20 years for me to get my citizenship because I wanted to make sure I voted for in this election. I wanted Change.

During the Primary Election and Having lived so long in a country where it was common to hear jokes that were along the line of " Sure THAT (emphasis) will happen, yeah, when a Black Man ever becomes a president…

Well a vote to a Black Man with the name of Barrack Hussein Obama ,well for me, it seemed like there was more than a possibility of it being a "throw away"  vote.   I wanted Change, and would I be “giving away” a vote for my freedom of choice in voting for this man, even though I honestly did approve of, and appreciate his vision.  (A while back I even wrote an article about it  “what’s in a name”   http://tinyurl.com/6q2xv2 ) 

Yes, it was a challenge, as I stood in that booth, the day of the primary election – My FIRST VOTE EVER and I wanted it to Count; I wanted to be a realistic voice for the changes that we finally needed in our country – I “succumbed” and voted for Obama.

I know he IS the best man for the job; that he was the best candidate because of WHO he is, regardless of his color – (we cannot also forget that many had tried before him and had not accomplished the feat) I am grateful today! And Yes it does go deeper than because he was the Obvious BEST person for the job, regardless of his color,  (a national opinion), but yes it Does go deeper, so much deeper, because he is a man of color, because he is a diverse American!  

I cannot forget that amazing significance, no matter how much someone may suggest that I should..

and Please humor me as I explain to you why - 

 Today I CAN hold my granddaughter who is also multiracial, and I can look deep into her eyes, and tell her that YES you CAN one day be president if YOU want to!  Yes YOU Will be able to achieve that dream should you choose to take that path.

NOT ONCE in my life, since living in this country, Not Once, - especially when I looked at other countries who have more social bridges than we do, but yet they have broken so many of these barriers to have Women as presidents or leaders of their countries..- NOT ONCE, did I honestly believe that I would see a black man ever become a president of the United States of America in my lifetime.  

As a recruiter, instead I saw with sadness discrimination rise more and more in the workplace.  Over 2000 Percent since 1974 (2003) – and lawsuits filed doubled since 1992, average case load for EEOC investigators tripled since 1992..  I saw this discrimination and like many in America, almost conceded through “accepting” this as fact or that it is  "just the way it was / is".   Like so many it was and is something that so many have attempted to change, one person at a time.. but.. reality .. 

I like many who live here, and like several of my friends, have lived Every Day "accepting" in the back of our heads, that my or their son, or daughter didn’t have a fighting chance to become a president of this free world.. (again not in our lifetime).

That is, Until Barack Obama came into the picture;  Not only did he bring Charisma, and Professionalism; What he lacked in Experience in one Area, he made up with presentation of his Ability.  He demonstrated a strength that gave hope not only to Us here on the mainland, but to Hundreds of other Countries in the world. 

Today, for the first time I TRULY believe in my country, that we as a United America will allow finally dreams to materialize for EVERY Individual – no matter their name, creed, race, religion, sex..  I do finally believe that we are beginning to see the People for WHO they are, and their Ability and not just by the façade of their appearance.

Do I believe that it will automatically change everywhere? In the workplace? In the day to day of life? No! of course not! And especially, more so in Certain States of America.  Demographics still sadly demonstrate that the Bradly Effect still was in existence.   

But, today, I have more than hope..  Today, I can Firmly Believe to the core of my heart, that Yes all dreams can come true for EVERYONE in America! 

Believe, Prepare and Do! You CAN accomplish anything! No matter WHO You are

Sure, it will not always be easy, and yes there still will be challenges.. But Yes, it Can happen because Finally a Black Man DID become President in the United States of America. 

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ABOUT KAREN MATTONEN, CAC, CSP

Karen Mattonen started a career in Human Resources when she served as a Recruiter for Snelling Corporation. Leveraging her tenure with Snelling, Karen founded Advanced Career Solutions in 1997 focusing on the  HVAC and Mechanical Construction industry. Her reputation for excellence is echoed in the satisfaction of clients and candidates she has serviced nationwide. Furthermore, Karen is esteemed for sharing her expertise in Recruitment Education, Ethics and promoting self-regulation for the Recruiting industry.

She has a new and future-oriented vision of what recruiting can and should become: a profession we can be proud of for its ethical standing, professional conduct and ability to build great organizations. Her doing-well-by-doing-right philosophy is shaking up the status quo in an industry that needs to be shaken. She does this with conviction, leadership, and a distinctive voice that cries out for change.

Outside of the HR community, Karen Mattonen has been cited by Microsoft as a resource in how to use Microsoft Outlook as an ATS. She has also served as the Marketing and Public Relations Director for the 3^rd largest city in Utah.

Her passionate and tireless advocacy has led her to create HireCentrix - The Pulse of H.R, Regulation, Retention, Recruiting and Risk Management www.hirecentrix.com.  Hirecentrix is a company dedicated to providing training to the HR, recruiting and staffing industries, which includes a special focus on the ethical and legal dimensions through offering a full service resource for individuals to share and communicate, obtain current and accurate information, acquire and provide education and learning within the quickly expanding, diverse and rapidly changing Recruiting and Human Resource climate.

Karen has achieved accreditation as a California Accredited Consultant (CAC) through California Staffing Professionals. She has also gained her Certified Staffing Professional Certificate (CSP) through American Staffing Professionals. (www.americanstaffing.net)

Click here to reach Karen via email.

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