As always, Galentine’s Day is a special time to honor the strong bond between women. This year, the Junior League of Annapolis (JLA) is taking the idea of “ladies celebrating ladies” to a whole new level. Galentine’s Day is more than just a time to laugh and remember good moments with friends. It is also a time to help each other and our communities. You are welcome to join the JLA at the “Galentine’s 2026: A Celebration of Community” brunch. This event is both fun and has a greater meaning.
The JLA will honor local women who have done great things for our community, with a focus on leadership and service, at this lunch. The event is also a great chance for women leaders in the Annapolis area to meet each other and make connections. This lunch will honor the strength of women and how they have changed the world, whether you want to meet new people or get ideas.
Let’s find out deep insights into interesting things to do in Annapolis‘s Galentine’s Day with Zavros Place!
Event Logistics: Your Guide to the 2026 Brunch
Are you going to “Galentines 2026: A Celebration of Community”? We have put together all the important information for your calendar so you do not miss this day of connection and strength. Women in Anne Arundel County are looking forward to the best event of the season, which will happen for the second year in a row.
Quick Reference Guide
| Detail | Information |
| Date | Sunday, February 8, 2026 |
| Time | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. |
| Location | Crowne Plaza Annapolis |
| Address | 173 Jennifer Road, Annapolis, MD 21401 |
| Price | $80 per ticket |
| Registration | Deadline is January 31, 2026 |
What’s Included with Your Ticket
The Junior League of Annapolis has arranged an event that is both fun and important. When you register, you cover:
- Breakfast Buffet: A tasty breakfast with a wide range of seasonal options.
- Non-Alcoholic Beverages: They serve fresh coffee and drinks.
- Festive Activities: Specified time for making Valentines and doing activities with other people on-site.
- Local Vendor Market: A chance to look around and buy things from local businesses and resources.
- Parking: There is free parking on-site for all guests.
- Cash Bar: Extra drinks will be for sale at the cash bar for those who want to toast the event.
There is very limited space at this event, so registering early is a good idea. Take a break from your daily life, “recharge your cup,” and honor the women in our community who are making a real difference.
Honoring Local Excellence: The Award Recipients
Giving out the Junior League of Annapolis Leadership Awards is one of the best parts of the Galentine’s Day Brunch. This year, the JLA is happy to honor Dr. Shawn Ashworth and Dr. Erin Snell, two visionary women whose work has made Anne Arundel County a better place to live.
These awards honor local leaders who live up to the JLA’s goal to improve community health through fairness, education, and hard work.
Spotlight on Dr. Shawn Ashworth
Dr. Shawn Ashworth is a good person who has been a committed teacher in Anne Arundel County Public Schools for over 31 years. She started and runs Food 4 Thought Community Outreach Services, Inc., which helps many people by using her passion for advocacy.
- Impact on Food Security: Her organization has delivered over 35,000 lunches to address food insecurity in local “food deserts”.
- Holistic Support: Dr. Ashworth’s work is not just about food; she also helps poor people with their health, finding stable homes, and getting job training.
- Civic Leadership: She serves as the chairperson for the Community Reinvestment Review Commission, a position that ensures resources are equitably distributed to underserved county communities.
- Mentorship: She helps the youth discover new hidden skills and potential, hence being called the “Treasure Hunter.”
Spotlight on Dr. Erin Snell
Dr. Snell, who currently works as the Executive Director of Charting Careers, is a well-known and respected figure in the charity world. Her primary virtue lies in her commitment to poverty eradication and social justice. She has managed to transform many lives of the youth in Annapolis.
- Empowering Youth: Dr. Snell empowers youth to achieve their goals through transformative mentoring and career readiness through Charting Careers.
- Driving Collaboration: She co-founded and oversees The Collaborative Supporting Youth, an alliance of over 170 NGOs that collaborate to help every county child succeed.
- Equity Champion: Her innovation has created outdoor learning spaces in public housing estates and provided e-learning tools to thousands of students.
Many people have noticed how important Dr. Snell is as a leader; she even won the prestigious Drum Major Award for her outstanding work in fixing systemic problems.
Connection to the JLA Mission
Dr. Ashworth and Dr. Snell are both great examples of individuals who lead with a purpose. They both carry out a purpose that aligns with the main goal of the JLA. The Junior League of Annapolis is celebrating these women to highlight the impact one can make if they decide to lead others.
Keynote Insight: Leading with AliceAnne Loftus
AliceAnne Loftus is well known in business and leadership circles in Annapolis and will be the keynote speaker for the 2026 Galentine’s Day Brunch event. AliceAnne Loftus founded Leading Lady Coaching and serves as its CEO. She also has started more than 20 businesses and has spent her whole career teaching women how to lead with purpose and clarity.
The Leading Lady Philosophy
The idea behind AliceAnne’s message is that “empowered women support women.” Her coaching and books, including We Lead and Take the Lead, emphasize overcoming a “scarcity attitude” and embracing community and collaboration. People who go can expect her to talk about a few main topics:
- Authentic Leadership: Getting past “one-size-fits-all” business tips to find a way to lead that shows what you really believe in.
- Balance Without Burnout: Tips on how to build a great business or career while keeping your mental health and personal life full.
- Reclaiming Your Time: Ending being a “magician” who helps everyone out and start being an “architect” who plans a life with limits.
Connecting to the “Every Woman. All Things.” Initiative
The JLA’s focus is on “Every Woman. All Things.” campaign is a great fit for AliceAnne’s skills. The Junior League is behind this international project that wants to break the cycle of “mental overload,” which is the weight that women carry when they try to please everyone.
When the JLA asks AliceAnne Loftus to talk, they do more than just give people ideas. They are giving local women a useful set of skills to “recharge their cup” and imagine a life where health and relaxation come before too much work.
The Importance of Women Supporting Women
The premise of the 2026 Galentine’s Day Brunch comes from one simple, yet extremely powerful, statement that nothing matters as much as women helping women. While having a celebration event for this is quite fun, the main point of doing so is to provide a space where women can focus on mutual deeds.
Why These Gatherings Matter
Galentine’s Day has become an important reminder of how important friendships and work relationships are in a culture that often focuses on romantic love. This event plays multiple significant roles for the women of Annapolis:
- Building a Support System: Making friends and business networks can help you deal with the stress that comes with juggling work, family, and personal goals.
- Making a “Safe Space”: JLA gives women from all walks of life a place where they can meet, feel seen, and gain the confidence to go after their goals on their own terms.
- Breaking the Cycle of Burnout: When women get together, they can share ways to deal with the “mental stress” that comes from handling work, home, and community duties.
A Network of Changemakers
A JLA event is more than just a morning; it is a way to join a group of important people who are working to make the world a better place. Whether you run a business, run a non-profit, or help out in the community, these networks help:
- Mentorship and collaboration: Finding people who understand your journey and can help you or give you new relationship ideas.
- Professional Development: Using social situations to improve your leading abilities, communicate to people better, and create a stronger professional identity.
- Recharging the Spirit: This is a one-time chance to “fill your cup again,” putting your own health first so you can keep giving your all to the community.
Where the Money Goes: Supporting the JLA Mission
Remember that this lunch is more than just a social event; it is a very important way for the Junior League of Annapolis to raise money. Buying a ticket directly supports the JLA’s work to improve our community and promote women in leadership roles.
Direct Community Impact
The event in 2026 will raise money for hands-on projects that will help women and children in Anne Arundel County become more self-sufficient. This includes taking care of important problems like
- Food insecurity: Helping programs that bring food and resources to “food deserts” in your area.
- Health and Wellness: Giving families in need basic items like diapers and period supplies.
- Support for education: Making it possible for kids and families to do well by giving them skills and resources.
Training the Next Generation of Leaders
Part of the funding supports the JLA’s unique leadership training. JLA does not just give people the chance to help; it also trains them to be leaders of non-profits, serve on boards, and push for systemic change. Being there will help make sure that Annapolis always has a steady supply of smart, civic-minded women in leadership positions.
Conclusion
There are a lot of fun and important things going on at the “Galentines 2026: A Celebration of Community” brunch. Today we honor the great work of leaders like Dr. Shawn Ashworth and Dr. Erin Snell, learn from AliceAnne Loftus, and make our community stronger by strengthening the bonds that hold it together.
Get your spot now, do not wait! The Crowne Plaza Annapolis only has a limited number of rooms, and the last day to register is February 3, 2026.