Maria Lopez

Janitor Maria Lopez starts each day praying for a miracle. After nine years of cleaning the offices of Silicon Valley tech company Cisco Systems she is paid just $11.04 an hour--not nearly enough to sufficiently care for her four young children.

To survive, Maria, her husband, and four children share a four-bedroom home in San Jose with two other families. Conditions are cramped and she still must put half of her earnings towards rent. Family members watch over her 15 month-old daughter and 4 year-old son while she is at work. She and her husband dream of a day when they will have their own home with a yard to raise their children, but Maria does not see that day coming anytime soon. "My salary is so low we can't even think of saving money for the future. We worry just about the day to day."

Even though Maria works full-time, her weekly salary of less than $350 per week does not leave her with many options. She worries that her family will not be able to continue to afford living in the house, and will become homeless. Her church provides donations of food week for her entire family. "Without the donations I don't know how we would survive."

Like any mother, Maria has dreams for her children's future. "I hope my children can all go to college, but right now I don't think I can help them get there financially. It is painful for me to say that all my hard work won't be enough to help them have a better life."

Maria is standing up with her coworkers because she believes when you come together with one voice.

"I believe Cisco is a good company. They make a lot of money and can help me and my coworkers have a better life."