Grab your gal pals and come celebrate Galentine’s Day at the MU Women’s Center.

February is synonymous with pink hearts and red roses, and Valentine’s Day is the time to celebrate love for your significant other. In recent years, another holiday has popped up thanks to Leslie Knope from the popular TV show _Parks and Recreation_: Galentine’s Day.

This year, the MU Women’s Center partnered with the Women’s Leadership Conference to throw a free Galentine’s Day party for MU students.

This is the first year the center has thrown a Galentine’s Day party, which is partly a promotion for the Women’s Leadership Conference.

“We are having this event so women can be more interactive with us, other than just a one-day conference, so you can be empowered through us other than a conference,” said Jennifer Fowler, executive director for the Women’s Leadership Conference. “Galentine’s Day is a lighthearted way to be informed of the values of the conference and the women in charge of the conference.”

The night’s activities include cookie decorating, card making, friendship bracelets and a photobooth. Beneath all the fun crafts and delicious desserts, the event’s larger purpose is to promote self-empowerment, friendship, self-love and unity, according to Fowler and Jordan Weinberg, Women’s Center liaison and event creator.

“Even though it’s called Galentine’s Day, anyone is welcomed to attend, not just someone who identifies as a woman,” Weinberg said.

The event is scheduled for Feb. 13 from 4-6 p.m. at the Women’s Center, located in the bottom level of the Student Center.

The Women’s Center expects 30 to 60 people to attend, and possibly more, considering its fall event, Love Your Body, was better attended than anticipated, with around 70 people.

_Edited by Brooke Collier | bcollier@themaneater.com_