In Recognition of Women's Health Month OLBCF hosts Virtual Event, Hot Flashes & Hard Truths: Black Women, Menopause and Policy Change in Ohio

The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Foundation (OLBCF) will host a timely and groundbreaking virtual event in recognition of Women’s Health Month, titled Hot Flashes and Hard Truths: Black Women, Menopause, and Policy Change in Ohio, on May 27 at 6:00 PM EST. The conversation will bring together health experts, policymakers, and advocates to address the urgent need for greater awareness, research, and policy solutions surrounding menopause, particularly as it impacts Black women.

Black women often experience menopause symptoms earlier, longer, and more severely than other groups, yet they are less likely to receive adequate treatment, diagnosis, or culturally competent care. These disparities can impact every aspect of daily life including physical and mental health, workplace productivity, financial stability, and long-term health outcomes. Women in underserved communities, uninsured women, caregivers, and older adults navigating chronic health conditions are especially vulnerable to gaps in care and limited access to treatment options.

This virtual discussion will examine the intersection of women’s health, healthcare access, and public policy while elevating lived experiences that are often overlooked in medical and legislative spaces. Participants will explore disparities in treatment, the lack of insurance coverage for menopause-related care, barriers to workplace accommodations, and opportunities for Ohio to lead in advancing menopause-related policy change that directly improves quality of life for women across the state.

Featured panelists include menopause coach and founder of Healthy & HAUTE Fitness Sharee D. McCants-Howard; State Representative and OB/GYN Anita Somani; State Representative Ashley Bryant Bailey; and women’s health advocate and educator Dr. ShantaQuilette Williams. The conversation will be hosted by OLBCF President Shayla L. Davis.

“Let me be honest, I’m in menopause right now, and even with all my access and resources, it has been a fight to get answers,” said President Shayla L. Davis. “If it’s this hard for me, imagine what the average woman walking through it alone is facing. Six thousand women enter some phase of menopause every single day, and Black women are doing it with the least support and coverage. The HOTTIE Act is a real step forward, and I knew it was time to pull women across Ohio into this conversation. Menopause is trending everywhere except the policy rooms and this is our moment to change that.”

OLBCF continues its mission to advance equity, amplify Black voices, and ensure that policy decisions reflect the lived realities of all Ohio’s communities. In recognition of Women’s Health Month, this event is part of OLBCF’s ongoing efforts to highlight critical women’s health issues, particularly menopause, and bring the experiences of Black women into the center of legislative and public health conversations.

For more information, to register, or to stay connected with OLBCF’s ongoing work, visit OLBCF Events Page and follow OLBCF on social media.