Halle Berry took the stage at a high-profile event and delivered a searing critique of California Governor Gavin Newsom, calling out his dismissal of a crucial women's health initiative.
Berry, 59, an Oscar-winning actress and advocate, publicly condemned Newsom for vetoing the Menopause Care Equity Act, a bipartisan bill she has passionately supported, as reported by The Daily Mail.
Her frustration spilled over just before Newsom appeared at the same New York Times DealBook Summit on Wednesday, amplifying the sting of her rebuke. She didn’t hold back, accusing the governor of sidelining half the population with his decision. This isn’t a petty grudge; it’s a spotlight on a policy failure that affects millions of women navigating midlife challenges.
Berry highlighted how Newsom has struck down the menopause bill for two consecutive years, a point she drove home with palpable anger. “Back in my great state of California, my very own governor, Gavin Newsom, has vetoed our menopause bill, not one but two years in a row,” she declared, laying bare her disappointment.
That kind of consistency in rejection signals a deeper disregard for women’s health needs, especially when the bill aimed to mandate insurance coverage for menopause and perimenopause symptoms. It’s hard to see this as anything but a deliberate choice to ignore a natural phase of life that demands attention and resources.
The proposed legislation also sought to establish menopause-specific training for doctors and ongoing education through the California Medical Board. When a policy this comprehensive gets shelved twice, it raises questions about whose struggles are deemed worthy of action.
Turning her critique sharper, Berry suggested Newsom’s actions disqualify him from higher office. “The way he has overlooked women, half the population, by devaluing us, he probably should not be our next president either,” she stated, linking his veto to a broader failure of leadership.
Her words cut through the polite veneer of political ambition, pointing to a pattern of neglect that could haunt any national aspirations. If a governor can’t address the needs of women in his own state, what hope is there for a broader platform?
Newsom, often floated as a Democratic contender for 2028, now faces a public challenge from a respected voice in Hollywood and advocacy. Berry’s condemnation isn’t just personal; it’s a warning to voters about priorities that fall by the wayside.
Berry’s advocacy stems from her own journey, having learned in 2024 that she’d been in perimenopause for a decade, misdiagnosed as having herpes. This revelation fueled her mission to ensure other women don’t suffer in silence or ignorance.
She has pushed for national legislation too, joining bipartisan senators last year at the U.S. Capitol to advocate for $275 million in menopause research and education. Her public declaration of being in menopause was a bold move to strip away the stigma surrounding it.
Women between 45 and 55 typically face symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and insomnia as estrogen levels drop, yet cultural and medical systems often brush these aside. Berry’s fight is for recognition and practical support, not just platitudes.
Beyond policy, Berry tackled society’s habit of rendering women over 60 invisible, especially in industries like Hollywood. She spoke of the pressure to remain “forever 35,” a standard that mocks the reality of aging with grace or authenticity.
Her frustration with being seen as “past my prime” at 59 reflects a broader cultural failing to value women’s contributions at every stage. It’s a subtle jab at a world quick to celebrate youth while discarding experience and wisdom.
This clash with Newsom isn’t just about a bill; it’s about a system that too often tells women their health and worth expire with age. Berry’s voice, amplified by personal conviction, demands a reckoning with those outdated attitudes and the leaders who perpetuate them.