Halle Berry just delivered one of the most powerful political call-outs of the year.
And she didn’t mince words.
At The New York Times DealBook Summit on Wednesday, the Oscar-winning actor turned menopause advocate took direct aim at California Governor Gavin Newsom for repeatedly vetoing legislation designed to help women navigate one of life’s most challenging transitions.
Her message was clear: if you can’t support half the population, you shouldn’t lead the entire country.
Zero Apologies, Maximum Impact
Berry, 59, came prepared with receipts and wasn’t afraid to use them.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, she opened her remarks by declaring her current mindset with characteristic bluntness.
At this stage in my life, I have zero fucks left to give.
The statement set the tone for what would become a masterclass in advocacy—direct, unapologetic, and backed by genuine frustration over systemic neglect.
The Menopause Bill Newsom Rejected—Twice
Berry’s primary grievance centers on California’s Menopause Care Equity Act, bipartisan legislation that would guarantee insurance coverage for evidence-based menopause treatments.
Despite broad support, Newsom vetoed the bill two consecutive years, citing concerns about limiting healthcare provider flexibility.
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.
For Berry, this wasn’t just political disappointment—it represented something deeper and more damaging.
Why This Matters Beyond California
Menopause affects approximately 1.3 million American women annually, yet remains woefully under-researched and under-supported by healthcare systems nationwide.
Symptoms can include hot flashes, sleep disturbances, cognitive changes, bone density loss, cardiovascular risks, and mental health challenges—all of which can dramatically impact quality of life and work performance.
Insurance coverage for treatments remains inconsistent, leaving many women to suffer in silence or pay out-of-pocket for relief.
A Presidential Disqualification?
Berry didn’t stop at criticizing past decisions.
She connected Newsom’s vetoes directly to his fitness for higher office—a particularly pointed observation given his acknowledged interest in running for president in 2028.
That’s OK, because he’s not going to be governor forever, and the way he has overlooked women, half the population, by devaluing us, he probably should not be our next president either. Just saying.
The timing made the statement even more powerful—Newsom was scheduled to appear at the same summit just hours later.
Talk about leaving an impression before someone takes the stage.
The Invisible Woman Problem
Beyond politics, Berry addressed a cultural crisis affecting millions: society’s tendency to devalue women as they age.
In 2025 I, Halle Berry, and women of my age are simply devalued in this country.
She highlighted how this devaluation manifests across industries—from Hollywood’s notorious ageism to workplace discrimination and social media’s youth obsession.
The Forever-35 Pressure
Berry called out the impossible standard women face: constant pressure to appear eternally youthful while simultaneously being denied resources to manage the biological realities of aging.
Women are pressured to stay forever 35. We’re complimented if we seem to be aging backwards or defying gravity, as if that’s even possible, and if we somehow manage to look younger than our years, it’s suggested that’s the gold standard that our worth should be measured by.
This catch-22 creates a damaging cycle: women are praised for appearing ageless yet receive minimal support for understanding and managing what their bodies actually experience during midlife transitions.
From Advocacy to Action: Respin
Berry isn’t just talking about these issues—she’s building solutions.
Earlier this year, she launched Respin, a holistic menopause care company designed to fill gaps left by traditional healthcare systems.
Respin describes itself as a comprehensive resource for women at any stage of the menopause journey—whether they’re currently experiencing symptoms, approaching perimenopause, or preparing for what’s ahead.
What Makes Respin Different
The company combines several critical elements often missing from standard menopause care:
- Scientifically-backed treatment protocols grounded in current research
- Community support systems that combat isolation and normalize experiences
- Accessible education about symptoms, treatments, and long-term health implications
- A reframing approach that treats menopause as a natural transition rather than a medical problem to hide
Respin’s stated mission captures Berry’s evolved perspective: helping women “embrace this natural transition with curiosity, wonder, and excitement.”
Why Celebrity Advocacy Matters Here
Berry’s willingness to publicly discuss menopause—and challenge powerful politicians over it—represents significant cultural progress.
For decades, menopause remained a taboo subject, something women were expected to endure privately without complaint.
When high-profile figures speak openly about these experiences, several important shifts occur:
- Normalization of discussing symptoms and seeking treatment
- Increased pressure on healthcare systems and insurers to provide adequate coverage
- Validation for millions of women who felt alone in their experiences
- Political accountability for policies affecting women’s health
Berry’s platform amplifies these messages to audiences who might never encounter menopause advocacy otherwise.
The Bigger Healthcare Picture
The menopause coverage issue Berry highlighted reflects a broader problem in American healthcare: women’s health concerns consistently receive less research funding, medical attention, and insurance support than comparable men’s health issues.
Cardiovascular disease symptoms present differently in women yet research has historically focused on male presentation patterns.
Pain conditions affecting primarily women often go undiagnosed or dismissed for years. Reproductive health beyond fertility receives minimal investment despite affecting quality of life for decades.
Menopause fits this pattern perfectly—a universal experience for half the population that’s treated as niche rather than essential healthcare.
What Comprehensive Menopause Care Should Include
Evidence-based menopause care extends far beyond addressing hot flashes.
Comprehensive treatment should encompass:
- Hormone replacement therapy options with individualized risk assessment
- Bone density monitoring and osteoporosis prevention strategies
- Cardiovascular health screening, as risk increases post-menopause
- Mental health support for mood changes and cognitive symptoms
- Sleep disorder treatment and management
- Sexual health resources and treatments for genitourinary symptoms
- Nutrition and exercise guidance tailored to hormonal changes
Most insurance plans cover only fragments of this care, if any—leaving women to navigate a complex landscape largely on their own.
Moving Forward: What Needs to Change
Berry’s public challenge to Newsom highlights what advocates have been demanding for years: political leaders must treat women’s health as essential policy, not optional nice-to-have legislation.
California’s repeated rejections of the Menopause Care Equity Act send a message—whether intended or not—about whose health concerns warrant government support.
As Berry pointed out, dismissing issues affecting half the population reveals priorities that should concern everyone evaluating leadership capability.
Her willingness to connect healthcare policy to presidential fitness raises stakes for politicians who might otherwise consider women’s health legislation politically expendable.
With her platform, resources, and refreshing lack of concern about ruffling political feathers, Berry has positioned herself as exactly the kind of advocate this issue needs—loud, persistent, and impossible to ignore.