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A typical professional networking event might bring to mind people dressed in suits at a major conference. But on Thursday night, women from across central New York dressed to the nines in their best Valentine’s Day attire to enjoy an evening of charcuterie, botox, tarot card readings and female empowerment.

“It reinforces that power dynamic of women being awesome, and it’s really sweet to bring people from all over an area and make sure we have a space to interact and meet each other,” Keyda Rivas, a Colgate University employee, said.

The Central New York Women’s Network hosted its second annual Galentine’s Day Party Thursday at The Mansion on James in collaboration with SavorCuse, She Fancy and Home Town Events.

The candelabra-lit evening featured various local women-owned shops offering everything from cold brew martinis and a DIY facial bar to flower bouquets and desserts. Women networked and caught up over mocktails and cocktails while enjoying each other’s company and celebrating women-run businesses with local vendors.

CNY Women’s Network Founder and CEO Alex Canavan started the tradition last year as a way to connect and empower women from across the region. The Galentine’s Day event spotlighted a range of central New York women in business, who Canavan said are trailblazers going after their dreams.

While the organization usually focuses on networking and professional development, Canavan hoped this event would be a way for women to indulge, treat themselves and lean into their feminine energy, all while supporting other women.

“It’s really important to support those people that are innovating and doing things differently and taking risks,” Canavan said. “That’s what makes Syracuse so great and adds to the character and amazing experiences that we have here.”

Organizing the event this year was especially important to the Women’s Opportunity Center after it experienced a fire in its Liverpool office on Tuesday. Stefania Ianno, the Women’s Opportunity Center’s resource navigator, said the Galentine’s Day event proved to be a way for her and her coworkers to relax and enjoy the company of familiar faces during an uncertain time.

Christian Calabrese | Staff Photographer

Keyda Rivas decorates a Valentine’s Day-themed card with colorful hearts and gems. The activity was one of many offered at the Central New York Women’s Network Galentine’s Day Party.

Sprawled across the event’s foyer was a charcuterie and brownie bar, featuring goods from She Fancy, Sugar Grove, Sweet on Chocolate and The Sweet Praxis. Entrepreneur Julia Freeman worked with CNY Women’s Network to promote the food offerings at the event. She’s collaborated with vendors to highlight the food scene in central New York on her SavorCuse Instagram account.

“It’s a win-win. We’re all connecting, we’re all making friendships,” Freeman said. “We’re all just bringing each other up together.”

Rivas and fellow Colgate employee Piper Robinson traveled to Syracuse to make colorful cards and network with a new and unfamiliar community. During their college years at Colgate, the two didn’t explore much of the Syracuse area, so the event brought them closer with like-minded women from across central New York.

Canavan said the evening’s selection of vendors was intentionally curated to offer various products and services. Beyond food, drink and flowers, Michelle Pfaff showcased a selection of vintage clothing through her hand-curated shop Fawnd Vintage, while Carolynn Lemke drew custom pet portraits with her business Noble Friends.

Christian Calabrese | Staff Photographer

Patrons gather and talk at the Central New York Women’s Network Galentine’s Day Party. The event brought together women across CNY to enjoy each other’s company and support women-owned businesses.

Lemke said the Galentine’s Day event brought more visibility to her small business and others in the community. Pfaff, who shared a room with Lemke during the event, echoed this, saying it was a way for women to support and celebrate each other. Pfaff hoped women found clothing that makes them feel beautiful and feminine.

During the dreary central New York winter, the Galentine’s Day event was the perfect pick-me-up, Robinson said. While the Galentine’s Day Party is technically a networking event, Robinson said it was also a way to have fun and release the energy that builds up during the wintertime. She and Rivas felt supported through the different activities of the night and enjoyed the excuse to dress up for a special occasion.

Ianno said celebrating the evening and having a good time was especially beneficial and important to the Women’s Opportunity Center staff.

“Especially in today’s day and age with what’s going on in our world, it’s important to make space for female and female-identifying people to come together in a safe space to have fun,” Ianno said.

Published on February 16, 2025 at 10:39 pm

Contact Mia: mjones58@syr.edu