Karen Spilka Hosts Third Annual Galentine’s Day, Celebrating Women’s Leadership and Resilience

Laughter, storytelling, and celebration to honor the achievements of women leaders, visionaries, and trendsetters in Massachusetts 

(BOSTON) On February 13, Senate President Karen Spilka hosted her third annual Galentine’s Day Celebration, bringing together women leaders from government, business, philanthropy, nonprofits, and the arts. With comedy and dialogue, the evening recognized and celebrated the contributions of the women shaping industries and communities across Massachusetts and the nation.  

Speaking in front of more than 250 women leaders from across the state, the Senate President kicked off the event from the podium sharing the importance of food in bringing people together, and the importance of coming together as Massachusetts residents face attacks from the federal government.  

“Growing up, I felt such a sense of comfort at our kitchen table, enjoying the food my mother would make and I hold the memory of that comfort close when times get tough,” she said. 

Alluding to those tough times, she continued, saying, “Massachusetts will never stop fighting for the rights and dignity of all of our residents, including our drag queens, our trans, non-binary and intersex family members, our Black and Brown friends, our immigrant neighbors, and anyone else who wants to call Massachusetts home. You can’t executive order human beings out of existence, no matter how hard someone tries.” 

“You can’t executive order Massachusetts to comply with bigotry and hate,” she said. 

Inspired by the Parks and Recreation tradition made popularized by Massachusetts native Amy Poehler, Spilka’s Galentine’s Day event has grown into a beloved annual gathering that fosters connection, empowerment, and celebration. The evening included a drag story hour from TaDonna, who highlighted the growing challenges faced by drag queens and the LGBTQ+ community. 

A panel discussion followed, focused on the evening’s theme of food. Moderated by Jenny Johnson of Dining Playbook and Meet Boston, with distinguished speakers Nia Grace of Grace by Nia, Joanne Chang of Flour Bakery , Tatiana Rosana of Para Maria, and Christine Tobin, Independent Food Stylist, together, they shared their insights and experiences as women leading in the culinary world. 

Congresswoman Lori Trahan, Congresswoman Katherine Clark, and Senator Elizabeth Warren, also shared video messages offering words of encouragement, celebrating the power of women’s leadership, and sharing their go-to comfort foods with guests 

Described as “Hot Ones meets Iron Chef,” the panel was followed by a high-energy cooking challenge that blended humor and skill. Hosted by the Boston Globe’s Shirley Leung, Senate President Spilka, Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan, and former Senate President Therese Murray teamed up with the celebrity chefs for a ‘Girl Dinner’ showdown, creating snack plates and cupcake combinations to be judged by Leung.  

The evening concluded with one last performance from TaDonna, performing a medley of songs centered around women.