Jackie Valent Shares Messages of Acceptance

Jackie Valent was one of the thousands who migrate each year from the state of Wisconsin to better climates and employment opportunities after graduating from college. Owner of a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and a masters in Human Resources from Marquette University, the Milwaukee, Wis., native ventured to Baltimore, Md., and Dayton, Ohio before returning to her hometown to spend time with her ailing father in 1992. Her father now deceased, Valent says she stays because she wants to play a role in shaping the future of her hometown, which she believes lags in accepting people who are different than themselves.

Valent, author of the children's book, 'Stinky the Bulldog' (Authorhouse, ISBN 9-7814208269-7-5, 2006, $12.75), said that when she joined Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM) in 2001, her life changed. She learned that through the organization, now called FUEL Milwaukee, she could help Milwaukeeans become a better, more accepting population. As a human resources specialist executive and consumer, Valent said that Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin have long ways to go to enhance its diversity.

To meet them for the first time, you wouldn't know that Valent, Director of Human Resources for the Milwaukee office of Deloitte & Touche and her bulldog, Stinky, have experienced more prejudice than any of us will ever know. All you have to do is say Stinky's name and onlookers look appalled. After all, the word 'stinky' brings thoughts of a stench, horrible smells or something that reeks. People who have asked the dog's name haven't considered that the name Stinky could be one of affection for an endearing pet.

Valent knows the drill, however. Having struggled with being "too short for her weight" most of her life, she is accustomed to hearing people make judgments based on a moment's meeting. She was often teased and even told by a college placement advisor that she would never find a job because of her weight, despite a 3.75 grade point average and leadership roles in professional organizations.

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