Guadalupe Herrera

Guadalupe Herrera cleans high-tech behemoth Cisco Systems but still earns $23,000 a year, far less than it takes for her to pay rent, buy food, gas and basic necessities for her family.  They live together in a one-bedroom apartment; herself, her husband, and her two teenage sons, Oliver, 14, and Gabino, 16, who suffers from asthma and needs daily medication.

"Sometimes I can't buy shoes or clothes for my sons because we have to save money to pay the rent. Life is too expensive, it's hard for everyone."

Her oldest son said he wants to quit school so her can get a job to help the family with money so his mom won't have to work so hard, but Guadalupe said, "No! Don't stop school! Learn more and more so you don't have to do the work that I do. I don't want you to be a janitor, I want more for you."

Recently, Cisco CEO John Chambers held a fundraiser for Senator John McCain where they charged $25,000 for a VIP ticket - more than Guadalupe makes in an entire year.