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Gina Lawson arrived in the U.S. as an undocumented immigrant at the age of seven. Today, she and her husband, Mark, reside in a repurposed car dealership, where the open layout allows their children—Emma, Jake, and Lily—to zip around on their bikes. Gina’s initiative, The Kind Store, provides essential items to those in need with dignity and respect. Her Instagram showcases clean-up efforts in historic Black cemeteries. She often wears thrifty dresses and her game day shirt expresses her lighthearted spirit: “I JUST HOPE BOTH TEAMS HAVE A GOOD TIME.” Gina Lawson embodies the supportive mom friend we all desire.
As the wife of Pennsylvania’s Lieutenant Governor and Senate hopeful Mark Lawson, Gina, who playfully refers to herself as the SLOP (Second Lady of PA), has made her home in Braddock, a small town revitalized by Mark through sheer determination and community engagement. With an infectious warmth, it’s easy to forget that while Gina was born in Brazil, she possesses a strong resilience shaped by Braddock’s steel mill heritage.
Born as an Undocumented Immigrant
Gina recalls her mother as adventurous: “She came to this country with two children, no English, no job, and no acquaintances, all in search of hope and opportunity.” Gina explains that her mother was driven by a desire to escape the violence that plagued their lives in Brazil. “One night, during dinner, her sister mentioned being robbed multiple times in a year. My mom didn’t want that life to be normal for us.” One evening, her mother returned home with a suitcase, urging, “Pack your favorite items; we’re going on an adventure.” At almost eight years old, it was challenging for Gina to choose what was important to her.
Upon arriving in New York City, they settled in Queens. Gina’s mother, who held a doctorate, took on cleaning jobs while learning English through a Walkman. Gina enrolled in ESL classes and learned the valuable lesson that it’s always possible to start anew. “My mother, who ran hospitals in Brazil, found herself cleaning houses overnight. You just keep going.” Gina obtained her green card in 2004 and became a U.S. citizen in 2009.
How She Met Mark
By 2007, Gina had established her life in Newark with a stable job and her own home. However, a yoga retreat in Costa Rica changed everything. There, she stumbled upon a story about a young mayor striving to rejuvenate a town that had been deserted. “I couldn’t fathom how people could abandon their homes, leaving behind cherished belongings,” she reflects. “Over 90% of the community departed overnight.”
Returning from Costa Rica, Gina couldn’t shake thoughts of Braddock. She had always admired the Brooklyn Bridge during her time in New York, not realizing its steel was sourced from Braddock’s mills. “That felt like a sign,” she says. Driven by fate, she penned a heartfelt letter to the borough, expressing her desire to visit and understand the community better. Mark received her letter, reached out, and they were married within a year.
“It was serendipitous… I felt an immediate bond with the community and its narrative. I fell in love with Braddock, and then with Mark.” Upon entering the car dealership-turned-home, she instantly recognized it as her sanctuary. “It challenged the notion of value. This building, much like my community, was once deemed worthless. But what determines value? Just like many people and places, we all hold worth.”
Her Advocacy Work
Gina lovingly refers to The Kind Store as “my baby non-profit.” She explains, “There’s such a disparity between those who have too much and those who have too little, often living in the same neighborhoods. I wanted to bridge that gap.” Growing up in New York, she often found valuable items on the curb. Transitioning to Braddock, the stark contrast between wealth and poverty shocked her. “As a child, I questioned why restaurants discarded food while people were hungry.”
This experience inspired her work. “The statistics are heartbreaking—40% of food goes to waste while one in seven individuals is hungry.” The Kind Store emerged from Gina’s childhood experiences of seeing food pantries operate in ways that felt dehumanizing. “Many places require proof of need, which can be incredibly degrading for families in distress. The Kind Store creates a dignified environment that says, ‘We trust you.’”
In the beginning, Gina reached out to local businesses to save unused items. Now, organizations like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s partner with her to provide fresh food to hundreds of families.
How does this all impact her children? She chuckles and mentions that she went into labor with Lily at The Kind Store, so at least one of her children made their entrance there. “My hope for them is to grow up kind and happy. They understand that we only donate items in good condition. They’ve always been surrounded by this work, which makes them thoughtful.”
Connecting with Diverse Perspectives
Gina emphasizes the importance of relating to everyone, even those who may disagree with her. “Listening is crucial,” she asserts. “I often engage with individuals who may view me negatively. I believe in redemption and second chances; I don’t write people off.” Despite receiving more hate mail than Mark, Gina remains unfazed. “I sometimes get mistaken for my children’s nanny,” she shares. “I could react with anger or humor. I choose to find a lesson in it.”
She recounts an encounter at a pool where a woman remarked on her children’s bilingualism. The woman then expressed surprise at not finding help with similar skills, unwittingly implying Gina was merely a caregiver. Gina smiled and said, “Thank you! I hope they keep me around,” knowing her children would soon identify her as their mother. The woman quickly apologized, allowing both to depart with dignity.
Gina’s parenting choices have drawn admiration. All her children were born at home with the same midwife and doula. “That’s not bravery,” she insists. “Maternal outcomes for women of color are dire, and I wanted my mother by my side. My decision was based on concern for how I’d be treated.”
“I did my best to breastfeed, but parenting is challenging in its own right. We need to stop criticizing each other—whether it’s about breastfeeding or formula feeding. Everyone is facing their own struggles.”
Gina’s message is simple: kindness is always a choice, and she’s the perfect person to lead by example.
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Summary
Gina Lawson, the Second Lady of Pennsylvania, is an inspiring figure who uses her background as an undocumented immigrant to advocate for her community. Through her initiative, The Kind Store, she addresses issues of poverty, dignity, and choice. Gina’s journey reflects resilience, compassion, and the belief that everyone has value, making her the ultimate supportive mom friend we all crave.
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