“I came from Jamaica over 10 years ago, alone. I left my kids back home with my mother, looking to have a better life and work hard to bring my sons here. After four years of hard work, I was able to bring all of them to the U.S. A few years ago I brought my mother as well. I have been working non-stop without a break over the past 10 years to make sure my kids have an education. I am proud of my boys — they all have taken responsibility for their lives and are working or going to college. They are good kids. Sometimes I pray to God for a better income so I can take a day off without worrying about making ends meet. I remember when my kids were sick, I would run to get them an over-the-counter medication and then run to my overnight shift because I could not afford to stay home with them.

“When I think about the future, it always involves the opportunity to stand up and say what I think is right and what I think is wrong. No one should work as hard as I do and still be poor. I struggle every month to make ends meet and I am not alone. There are millions of women: single mothers, immigrant women, women of color and professional healthcare workers living in poverty while working full-time jobs. This is wrong. We should have a living wage that allows working people to be able to step up out of poverty, afford a day off and take care of their kids and loved ones. This is the right thing to do. And when you do right, God will support you. “