YWCA planning OKC 'Galentine's Day breakfast'

Valentine's Day is coming up, and an Oklahoma City metro organization is holding an event to celebrate women across the state.

You are invited to this year's "Galentine's Day" event hosted by the Young Women's Christian Association on Feb. 8.

Joining the News 9 team to share more about the event is YWCA Vice President of Programs and Engagement Angela Beatty, and fellow YWCA Vice President Brandon Pasley.

Q: First off, talk to us about YWCA's mission for those at home who aren't familiar.

Pasley: Absolutely, YWCA is committed to eliminating racism and empowering women. We promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. And so we live out that mission in many, many ways, but one of the main ones is through our victim services programming,

Q: About this particular event, what is it? How would you describe it, for someone who's never been before?

Beatty: It's actually a play on an episode of Parks and Recreation. The women on that show created an event where they would celebrate each other, women celebrating women. Our staff loved that idea, and said, "Why don't we create just a fun event for the women in our community to come together?" To bring your sisters and your friends and to have a brunch, get some mimosas, learn a little bit about our agency, but just to celebrate women in this space together.

Q: Does some of the money collected go back to the mission?

Beatty: All the funds collected at the organization go straight back into our program, so they go to funding the critical life-saving services we provide.

Q; Talk to us about what you're seeing in Oklahoma City and maybe the need that you guys are trying to fulfill.

Pasley: Our emergency shelter, like many of the shelters across the State of Oklahoma for domestic violence, are full. We communicate with each other daily to figure out who has space, because there's so much need. We run three crisis hotlines that ring off the hook all day long, like like our sister programs across the state.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Feb. 8 at the Embassy Suites Oklahoma City Downtown Medical Center. Tickets are $45 for individuals and $540 for a full table.

You can learn more about the YWCA by visiting their website.