Galentine’s Day adds activism to breakfast menu

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — When Kelly Smith thought about when to hold her kickoff event for a county commission campaign in suburban Florida, she chose a day symbolizing women supporting women: Galentine’s Day.

The unofficial holiday began as an idea on a popular sitcom. But this year, many women like Smith are turning it into part of the #Metoo movement.

“Galentine’s Day is about celebrating women working together, and that’s how we’re going to win,” said Smith, who lives in Pasco County on the state’s west coast.

A candidate for another county seat, Brandi Geoit, is planning to attend.

She thinks it’s important for women to support other women — in part because of some of the inappropriate comments she’s received from men while campaigning.

“Guys asking me for hand massages and sending me pictures of their junk,” she sighed. “We’re basically saying that this is our holiday, this is important that a lot of women are standing up and saying that enough is enough.”

Celebrated the day before Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day was first introduced on the television show “Parks and Recreation.” Amy Poehler, playing the character Leslie Knope, declared, “Every Feb. 13, my ladyfriends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it, breakfast-style. Ladies celebrating ladies. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus frittatas.”

It became a cultural movement of sorts — like Festivus, but with better food and less aggression. In recent years, women have marked the day with leisurely brunches, giving each other books or throwing parties that involve fizzy cocktails and, of course, waffles.

But this year, women across the country are celebrating with more than just mimosas and Instagram-worthy gifts.