Karen Spilka Hosts First Annual Galentine's Day Celebration

Senate President Karen Spilka, the third woman to be elected to the presidency of the Massachusetts State Senate, hosted a Galentine’s Day event on Monday, February 13, 2023 billed as a lighthearted evening of fun and stories to celebrate leaders, visionaries, and trendsetters who identify as women.

“It was quite an honor to welcome so many amazing women to what I hope will be our first annual Galentine’s Day Celebration,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Last night was a night to forget about the naysayers, the online bullies, and the people who told us to ‘wait our turn,’ and focus on all that we have accomplished, celebrate the barriers we have broken, rejoice in our friendships and—most importantly—have fun! I’m thrilled that the idea for this celebration has resonated with so many leaders in government, business, philanthropy, and the arts, and I look forward to hosting it again next year.”

Galentine’s Day was first introduced in 2010 by the character of Leslie Knope, played by Massachusetts native Amy Poehler, on the television show Parks and Recreation. Since then, the idea of a day to celebrate women’s friendships has taken on a life of its own. Senate President Karen Spilka decided in 2022 that Galentine’s Day, the day before Valentine’s Day, is the perfect day to celebrate women’s empowerment, leadership and of course, friendships. She recorded a video that year to mark the day.

Monday’s event, held at City Winery in Boston, featured the Boston Globe’s Shirley Leung as emcee, as well as panels of government and business leaders. The first panel included Governor Maura Healey, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, and Senate President Spilka. The second panel featured Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Attorney General Andrea Campbell, and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. A third panel included a discussion with Dr. Makeeba McCreary, president of the New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund (NCF); Josiane Martinez, the founder and CEO of Archipelago Strategies Group (ASG), a multilingual, full-service marketing agency committed to marketing with purpose; and Chef Rachel Miller, the 2023 James Beard Award Semifinalist (Outstanding Chef) owner of Nightshade Noodle Bar in Lynn, Massachusetts.

In keeping with the spirit of the evening, state Senator Julian Cyr arrived on stage during the first panel as a time-traveling Senate President from 1848, Zeno Scudder, who was confused that the women on stage held the offices of Senate President, Governor of the Commonwealth and Mayor of Boston. Leung encouraged him to watch a video from senior US Senator Elizabeth Warren to understand the role of women in Massachusetts in 2023.

Other notable women who appeared by video include Congresswoman Katherine Clark, Congressowman Lori Trahan, former Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Murphy, Flour Bakery and Myers + Chang co-owner Joanne Chang, Chief Justice Kimberly Budd and Vice President/Club Counsel for the Boston Red Sox Elaine Steward—and a surprise video from Leslie Knope herself, Amy Poehler. Former Governor Jane Swift and former Senate President Therese Murray were in the audience.

Photos in slideshow by Kenny Pierre of United Artistry.