DENVER - A 62-year-old East San Francisco Bay woman had her moment in the Democrat ‘sun' Tuesday when she delivered a short testimonial on behalf of her former co-worker, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

Alameda resident Pauline Beck, a home healthcare worker, spent a day on the job with Obama in August 2007 helping to care for and clean the home of John Thorton, 82, a retiired East Oakland cement mason.

The then political unknown traveled to the Bay Area to learn about the tough work that home healthcare workers endure at typically less than $11 per hour with no employee benefits.

Beck told the packed audience at the Pepsi Center that as soon as they got to Thorton's home the Illinois senator jumped in. She said Obama did laundry, mopped floors, made and served lunch, changed bed sheets and finally, washed the dishes.

"Sen. Obama spent the day in my shoes. He didn't want to talk politics, (he) wanted to work and that's the kind of president we need - someone who really understand working people.

"All his life (Obama) has understood the importance of work first from his single mom and then struggling families in Chicago and now all of America. I'll never forget the day I spent working with (Obama) and I know he won't either. He is my co-worker and he is my friend and next November, he will be our president," Beck said.