Fall River restaurant co-owner who stuck up for family with autistic child eating at her restaurant to receive Fall River Icon Award

FALL RIVER, Mass. – On Tuesday, Mayor Paul Coogan in collaboration with Axis Bats and Gina’s Restaurant will present co-owner Maria (Mary Jo) Martin with an award in recognition of her integrity, steadfastness, and moral clarity.

To get a sense of the type of person Mary Jo is, her daughter, Kayla Pacheco, took to social media in September to share how proud she was of her mother.

“Yesterday, at our family restaurant, Gina’s, there was a family with an autistic child who sat down for breakfast. The little boy began speaking loudly, there were two ladies sitting (at) another table who told this young couple to take their child outside. The couple told them he was autistic, and they looked at them and said that’s no excuse. I know very rude right?

“The mom began to cry, and they tried leaving the restaurant. My mom saw this and automatically went out after them. My mom told them they need to go back inside with their head held high and sit down with their children for breakfast that any child is welcome in our restaurant no matter if they are autistic or not! She then followed them to their table and said if anyone has an issue with it, they can leave but all children are welcome here!!! At the end of their visit, they asked to see my mom and asked if they could just hug her for standing up for them!

“I am so proud of my mother for standing up for this family and doing what’s right! We need more people like her. Any child with any sort of disability is always welcome at our establishment period! She will probably call me and yell at me for posting this because she doesn’t do anything for recognition, but I just want everyone (to) see what a great person she is!

“I love you mom and couldn’t be (prouder) of you!

“Please feel free to share. I hope this makes it to that family, so they know how welcomed their child is!!!”

At a time where the restaurant industry in particular is having difficulty making ends meet and are understandably concerned about losing customers, Kudos to Mary Jo for standing up for what’s right, even if it costs her customers.

The award presentation will be taking place at Gina’s on Wilson Road.