Gina Turner arrived in the United States as an undocumented immigrant at the tender age of seven. Today, she and her husband, Mark, reside in a repurposed car dealership, featuring an open layout that allows their children, Leo, Mia, and Sam, to zip around on their bikes. Gina’s initiative, the Community Free Store, provides essential goods to those in need with the utmost dignity and respect. Her social media showcases efforts to clean up historically significant cemeteries. She often wears stunning thrifted dresses, and her game day tee reads, “I JUST HOPE BOTH TEAMS HAVE A GOOD TIME.” In many ways, Gina embodies that supportive mom friend everyone dreams of having.
Gina is not only the wife of Pennsylvania’s Lieutenant Governor and Senate hopeful Mark Turner—who humorously refers to her as the SLOP (Second Lady of Pennsylvania)—but she also calls the small, post-industrial town of Braddock home. This is where Mark has famously led revitalization efforts through community engagement and determination. With a warmth that radiates, it’s easy to overlook that while Gina was born in Brazil, the steel mills of Braddock have undoubtedly forged her resilience.
A Journey from Undocumented Immigrant to Advocate
“My mom was adventurous,” Gina recalls. “She came with two children, no English, no job, and she didn’t know anyone, all in search of hope and opportunities.” Her mother was determined to escape the violence of Brazil, wanting a different future for her children. One night over dinner, her aunt mentioned being robbed seven times that year, prompting Gina’s mother to take action. “She came home with a suitcase and said, ‘Pack your favorite things; we’re going on a trip.’ I was seven, and that was a tough task because at that age, everything feels significant.”
They landed in Queens, New York, where her mother, despite holding a doctorate, took up cleaning jobs while learning English on a Walkman. Gina attended ESL classes, and her experience taught her that one can always reinvent themselves. “You can always start over. My mother had a Ph.D. and managed hospitals in Brazil, yet she transitioned overnight to cleaning hotels. You just keep moving forward.” In 2004, Gina received her green card, and by 2009, she became a U.S. citizen.
A Love Story in Braddock
By 2007, Gina had put down roots in Newark, where she worked and had purchased a home. While attending a yoga retreat in Costa Rica, she came across a story about a newly elected mayor striving to rejuvenate an abandoned town. “I couldn’t fathom how someone could leave behind their home, wedding photos, and children’s clothes,” she says, noting that over 90% of the community had vanished, leaving their belongings behind. After returning from Costa Rica, she felt a pull toward Braddock. The Brooklyn Bridge, which she had always admired, was constructed from steel made in Braddock’s mills—a sign, she believed.
Gina crafted a handwritten letter to the borough, expressing her desire to explore Braddock and learn more about its challenges. Mark read her letter, reached out, and they were married a year later. “I felt a deep connection to the community and its narrative. I fell in love with Braddock, and then we fell in love,” she shares. The moment she entered the car dealership that would become their home, she felt it was meant to be. “We wanted to challenge the notion of what has value; this was an abandoned space, mirroring my community’s struggles. Why should someone decide what’s valuable?”
Her Advocacy Work
Gina lovingly refers to the Community Free Store as “my baby non-profit.” “In my community, some people have so much, while others have so little. I was shocked to see the excess in a country where so many go hungry,” she explains. The idea for the store stemmed from her childhood experiences of scavenging furniture from curbs and witnessing food waste. “We discard 40% of our food, while one in seven people are hungry,” she laments.
The Free Store aims to provide dignity and choice, allowing families to shop for what they need without the dehumanizing processes typical of many food pantries. “Families should have the freedom to choose their essentials,” she remarks. Initially, she had to reach out persistently to businesses for support, but now, major partners like Whole Foods and Costco contribute, helping feed hundreds of families with surplus food.
Gina’s children are deeply influenced by her work. She chuckles, recalling that she went into labor with Sam at The Free Store. “My ultimate wish for them is to grow up kind and joyful. They understand our values; my son even suggests, ‘Mom, this sweater isn’t my favorite, but it’s in good shape. You should take it to The Free Store.’”
Connecting with All People
Gina makes a concerted effort to connect with everyone, even those who may not share her views. “I have to listen,” she asserts. “I often engage in discussions with individuals who might say, ‘I like you, but I have issues with immigrants.’” Despite facing prejudice, she believes in redemption and finding common ground. “I often receive more hate mail than Mark,” she admits. In the past, she’s been mistaken for her children’s nanny or Mark’s housekeeper, but she chooses to respond with grace, turning awkward moments into lessons.
Gina advocates for understanding among mothers, whether they choose to breastfeed or use formula. “All parenting choices are tough. It’s so easy to be kind,” she emphasizes. “Let’s stop the negativity and support one another.”
If anyone can inspire kindness and connection, it’s Gina Turner.
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Summary
Gina Turner, the Second Lady of Pennsylvania, is a former undocumented immigrant who has become a compassionate advocate for her community. Residing in Braddock with her family, she leads initiatives like the Community Free Store, which promotes dignity and choice for families in need. Gina’s personal experiences and her commitment to kindness make her an inspiring figure, demonstrating the power of connection and empathy.
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