Research shows that working-class people almost never become politicians, but Carmen Castillo is both a hotel housekeeper and a three-term Providence Rhode Island City Council member. Yet when Carmen first began to work as a housekeeper, the only English words she knew were "yes" and "no." How did she do it?

Carmen Castillo is featured in the documentary film Councilwoman.

Professor Nick Carnes' book is The Cash Ceiling: Why Only the Rich Run for Office.

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Image: Melissa Carrico

Music: The Zeppelin by Blue Dot Sessions  / Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution.