As our culture has shifted, there has been an emphasis recently placed on female empowerment.
As a result, the term “feminism” is a buzz word, women aren’t as policed in their everyday lives, and respect is a given (and if it isn’t, it’s demanded). Living through this shift has sparked so much warmth inside me and given me strength and power in my gender; something that I did not always have. With the age of female empowerment has come an emphasis on female friends, and through this, a new holiday: Galentine’s Day.
Galentine’s Day is a holiday created and popularized by NBC’s hit show, Parks and Recreation. The protagonist of the show and my personal hero, Leslie Knope, states: “What’s Galentine’s Day? It’s only the best day of the year. Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home and we just kick it, breakfast style. Ladies celebrating ladies.”
As Leslie alludes to, it’s easy to get caught up in your relationship, especially new relationships, and especially around lovey-dovey holidays such as Valentine’s Day. This holiday turns the tradition on its head and calls for a celebration of female friendships.
While this holiday started off simply as the plot to one of the episodes of season 2 of Parks and Rec, it quickly gained traction amongst fans of the show, and spiraled out into tradition for many millennial women. And it’s important. Growing up, much of the media we consume has romantic plots; whether they are the focal point of whatever story is being told or a simple subplot, it is present in most forms of media. At face value, these depictions are not necessarily a negative thing.
However, the problem arises when very little media is allotted to platonic friendships, as those are some of the most important relationships in one’s life. Current media in Western culture often portray relationships as the end-all, be-all. And it shows in our society. I can recall having conversations with my friends at the ripe old age of 15 who were mortified and felt unwanted because they hadn’t kissed someone yet.
As if arbitrary milestones regarding romance defined worth. With societal pressure like this, it’s no wonder Valentine’s Day is the commercialized monster that it is. Enter: Galentine’s Day. This day places emphasis on friendship in an age where romance is seen as a necessity to life, rather than an enhancement.
And even more so, Galentine’s brings to light a piece of friendship that is largely ignored by not only the media (Re: The Bechdel test), but also women themselves: female friends. Women are too often pitted against each other, whether it be by others or simply by themselves through the innate instinct of competition and comparison. This makes it difficult for many women to befriend women (Re: The tired old excuses, “I only hang out with guys because they’re less drama,” “Women hate me,” etc.).
The fact there is now a holiday forming that celebrates the importance of female friendships means the world to me. There is a whole different level of understanding and a whole different kind of love that exists within female friendships. That’s what makes them, and this holiday so special. So, ladies, invite your best gal pals out to brunch. Have a movie night. Dye each other’s hair. And have a wonderful Galentine’s Day with the women you love.
