Gala

"Who walks the red carpet,

can no longer

be swept under the carpet."

Maria Stern

Safe the Date! THANKS Gala 2026!

THANKS Gala 2025

On May 14, 2025, we rolled out the red carpet for single parents and their children for the second time. Because they deserve attention and appreciation, not poverty and isolation.

ORF Side Glances

Word donations video by Lea Stern

Panel discussion

Photos by Reza Sarkari & Günter Leintner

From the guestbook

"The Thanks Gala transformed Vienna's Urania into a place full of glamour and warmth – and put single parents and their children in the spotlight. A strong sign of appreciation and recognition! ♥ "

"Dear anonymous major donor, thank you from the bottom of my heart! So little spotlight for you, so much radiance for us. Money helps!"

"A masterclass gala!"

"Two single teen mommies felt home today. What an inspiring atmosphere, pure spiritual recharge."

"WOW! Honest words, powerful messages, just like that! The world thanks you for the THANKS Gala! I'm so happy to be part of THANKS Day!"

"After two decades of being a single parent, I'm grateful that we're finally getting some visibility. Thanks for Thanksgiving!"

"Finally, I'm invited and pampered for doing the work I've done all my life."

"Thank you for bringing awareness to this issue and getting things moving! We need you! Urgently!"

"I really enjoyed it. Beautiful as always..."

"I can't keep quiet... thank you for the multifaceted gala and for inspiring further thought!"

"Your event strengthened and inspired me greatly - and moved me to tears."

"Thank you Maria Stern & Maria Rösslhumer for the fantastic evening. You are incredibly powerful women who achieve so much. Bravo. As a former single-parent childminder, I was deeply touched by your appreciation for the masterful performance that so many women, and some men, achieve without realizing what they are accomplishing and often just wallowing in guilt for not being a good mother."

"Thanks for THANKS Day and all the sponsors. There are still far too few... all those who said no so far should dig deep into their pockets next time! Because we single parents are doing important work for the future of the country, the world!"

Video message from former Federal President Dr. Heinz Fischer (transcript)

Ladies and Gentlemen
Dear single parents,
Dear guests of THANKS DAY,

It is a pleasure and an honor for me to convey a short message to you today – on an occasion that is very close to my heart.

THANKS DAY isn't just another holiday on the calendar—it's a powerful social symbol. A sign of recognition, solidarity, and respect for all those who achieve great things every day—often in secret.

Single parents bear enormous responsibility—emotionally, financially, and organizationally. They overcome challenges that many aren't even aware of. And they do so with strength, dignity, and a remarkable amount of love.

I am convinced that a society shows its strength not least in how it treats those who bear special responsibility.

That's why I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all single parents today. And I also thank the initiators of THANKS DAY – for their commitment, their conviction, and their tireless will to make the invisible visible.

I wish you all a festive, encouraging evening – and continued strength, solidarity and confidence.

With kind regards,

Yours, Heinz Fischer.

Live Acts

Panel discussion

Petra Unger - historian

Tamara Majnek - Caritas

Nadja Sarwat - Journalist

Sabina Haas - Coaching

Sarah Zeller - Juno

Maryam Singh - Migrant.at

Speak Fire

Doris Zametzer - VHS Urania

Klaudia Frieben - Women's Ring

Tanja Wehsely - People's Aid

Andrea Czak - Fem.a

Isabella Burtscher - IB-Moderation

We thank for the support of

We thank you for the donations in kind and the media partnership

THANKS Gala 2024

On May 14, 2024, we rolled out the red carpet for single parents and their children for the first time. Because it's time. Because they deserve attention and appreciation. Instead of poverty and isolation.

Word donations video by Lea Stern

Photos by Reza Sarkari

From the guestbook

"Thanks for the red carpet..."

"Brought me tears of sadness, anger, and joy! Thank you!"

"Thank you so much! Especially for the "late" recognition. It was a great relief."

"Thank you for this wonderful event and thank you for honoring us single parents and our children."

"Thank you for the great evening & here's to the feminist revolution!"

"I laughed, I cried, I was silent, listening, discussing afterwards and above all full of admiration for the engagement. Learnt a lot and love the "red carpet" meaning... love & congratulations..."

"May all children of single parents be strong and proud to change the world, so that poverty, social marginalization, and injustices of all kinds that they and their parents—mostly women—face transform into the strength and courage for fundamental change. For all of us! Thank you—for Thanksgiving Day!

"A huge thank you from all Ukrainian women for the wonderful support in Austria, and a huge thank you to Maria Stern and her wonderful commitment to women with children!"

"The private is political and the political is private. Even in Styria. The gala was worth the trip! And how!"

We thank you for supporting the

Will thank you for the donations in kind and the media partnership

"Today I was privileged to stand on stage with so many beautiful young people and host a world premiere: the first THANKS Gala rolled out the red carpet for single parents at the Urania. 🤗🤩

I've spent half my life in movie theaters. And as a film reporter, I know a little about premieres. From LA to Cannes. But for me, this was definitely the most important premiere I've ever been to. 🍿🥰

Here, single parents were celebrated as superstars. But not only them: as we all know, it takes a whole village to raise children. My village sat in the front row, foot-free. The best family in the world and friends were celebrated on behalf of those who help every day to make single parents less alone. 🏆🎉

Thanks to the event's mother, Maria Stern. When she asked me if I wanted to babysit her latest project, I immediately agreed. One of my sons commented: "The main thing is that no Will Smith comes on stage and slaps you like he did to the Oscars host." And what can I tell you? It's all good, nothing happened. 😜😎

There was a fantastic, young art and music program, wonderful speeches from the Federal President on down, a fine champagne reception, and many goodies.🍿🤩

Hermann Hesse and Arthur Schnitzler have read at the Urania, and Lise Meitner has given lectures. Only when Einstein announced his arrival to speak about the theory of relativity did we have to move to a larger hall. Here, with Kasperl and Petzi, we chased away our crocodile, Child Poverty, and the Tintifax, Isolation. 🐊🎪

The observatory offers a view into space. Urania, the patron goddess of astronomy in Greek mythology, can predict the future. I hereby prophesy: Baby Thanksgiving Day will grow into a global networking village for single parents." 💫 ⭐️

Nadja Sarwat - Moderation