This Valentine’s Day, fall in love with your life.
We’re ditching the pressure, the clichés, and the commercialism, and celebrating the most important love of all: self-love. Don’t spend the night at home! Grab a friend, bring your kiddos, and join us for a Valentine’s experience that’s joyful, empowering, and unforgettable: LOVE YOUR LIFE!
When you look good, you feel good, so dress to impress and make an entrance walking down our red carpet, where you and your children or girlfriends can strike a pose at our portrait wall and enjoy complimentary photos. Throughout the evening, explore fun self-care goodies that will be up for grabs... because you deserve a little extra love.
When it’s time for dinner, the kids will head off with our amazing EmpowerME Childcare Team for their own Valentine’s fun and a kid-friendly meal, while the ladies sit down to a delicious catered dinner. Powerful female speakers will inspire you, while you connect with other incredible local single moms, and enjoy meaningful (and fun!) conversation in a warm, welcoming space.
After dinner, you’ll reunite with your little one(s) for dessert, and a special surprise... to end the night on a sweet note.
All proceeds benefit Single Mom Strong, but this event is open to ALL women, not just single moms. If you’re looking for a positive, empowering way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, come celebrate YOU, with us.
You are resilient. You are determined.
You are evolving.
The Grit & Growth Award honors single moms who continue to show up for themselves and their children, even when it’s hard. We believe in investing in women who invest in themselves, and this award exists to support the next
step forward.
SINGLE MOMS-
WIN A FREE TICKET TO
LOVE YOUR LIFE!
FREE registration is available courtesy of our sponsors! Some registrations will be gifted via lottery. To register for the lottery, complete this FORM during the month of January. Winners will be announced by February 3, 2026.
GOOD LUCK!
February 14, 2026 - 6:30pm- 9:00pm
Location: Capitol Event Center
Dinner served and program begins at 7pm
Early Childcare Check-in 6:15
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MENU
Choice of entrees:
Chimichurri Tri Tip
Hot Tropics Salmon
Accompanied by:
Sweet potato mash
Creamy penne pesto
Lemon grilled asparagus
Young greens salad
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Dessert:
TBA!
You may choose to enjoy a glass of wine, champagne, water or iced tea
with dinner
Opening Remarks By:
Tara Taylor- Speaker, Motivator, Coach and Founder of Single Mom Strong
2026 Speaker:
Lydia Ramirez
Lydia Ramirez serves as Executive Vice President / Chief Operating Officer at Five Star Bank, and has served in various roles with Five Star since 2017. Ms. has over 18 years of experience in senior level banking and is skilled in strategic operational process and sales management. Before joining the Company, she served as Vice President & Multi-Branch Manager at MUFG Union Bank from 2010 to 2017 where she implemented and steered sales activities, developed a team to act as trusted client advisors and provided leadership on operational integrity and compliance awareness.
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Ms. Ramirez serves on the board of directors of the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Capital Black Chamber of Commerce, United Way California Capital Region, Valley Vision, Downtown Sacramento Partnership, the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services and others. She is an alumnus of Leadership Sacramento, class of 2021. She is also a senior fellow of the American Leadership Forum, class of XXVI. Ms. Ramirez graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. She is a graduate from California State University, Sacramento, with a Master of Business Administration. She is also a graduate of CBA Executive Banking School.
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Ms. Ramirez has won numerous awards, from Sacramento Business Journal's "40 Under 40" to their "Women Who Mean Business" and in 2023, she was named among the inaugural class of Top 25 Latino Change Makers by the Sacramento Bee. In 2024, she was recognized among the Association of Latino Professionals for America's 50 Most Powerful Latinas and in 2025, Ms. Ramirez was among the Sacramento Business Journal's Champions for DE&I honorees and received an Exceptional Women of Color Award from the Sac Cultural Hub Media Foundation.
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Lydia believes the hardest part of being a single mom is the tendency to own it all and therefore “just do”, when asking for help is most often best answer. She agrees with Single Mom Strong's mission and knows “it takes a village to raise a child”. As a single mother herself, she was unapologetic about seeking and asking for the help. It is her hope that her story can inspire amazingly awesome single moms to thrive in the communities where we live and work.
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2026 Speaker:
Michelle Kiefer
​Michelle Kiefer is a devoted single mother of six who has learned to balance the demands of parenthood, a career in education, and the everyday realities of life with strength, compassion, and determination. Her journey has not been easy, but it has shaped her deep belief in perseverance, flexibility, and faith.
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When Michelle realized her husband was an alcoholic, her youngest son had just turned one, her twins were three, one son was starting kindergarten and the “big boys” were in third and fifth grades. Two years and many heartaches later, Michelle was a stay-at-home mother when her marriage, and what felt like her entire world, fell apart. Through determination, sacrifice, and an unshakable belief in her purpose, she forged a new path for herself and her children.
Today, Michelle works in early education and serves as Director of the Piper Center for Family Studies and Child Development at Baylor University. She teaches child development courses in higher education and serves on the Board of Directors for First3Years, Texas’ Infant
Mental Health Association.
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Michelle’s story is one of courage, unwavering love, and faith in oneself. She is proof that it is never too late to rewrite your story and rise to a new mountaintop. While life’s burdens may not get lighter, we can grow stronger. Passionate about empowering women, Michelle speaks openly about balancing leadership, caregiving, and personal growth. She is honored to share encouragement, practical insight, and hope with single mothers as they recognize their strength, advocate for their families, and move confidently toward the future.
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Thank you to our event co-sponsors:
Thank you to our venue and catering sponsors:
Thank you to our social media and table sponsors:
