Women’s Health Momentum: Progress in the Face of Challenges

Advancing Women’s Health: Progress & Opportunities in Uncertain Times

I’ll admit, I had a lot I wanted to share today. There’s no shortage of news, reports, and developments in women’s health—many of which deserve thoughtful attention. But as I reflected, it became clear that the message we need right now isn’t about covering it all. It’s about how to stay centered in the midst of uncertainty and focus on what truly matters.

At times like these, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But it’s also an opportunity to pause, take stock of what we can control, and recommit to the work that lies ahead.

The energy around women’s health has never been greater. At the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference last week, women’s health took center stage in discussions ranging from innovation to investment. Even First Lady Jill Biden underscored the urgency of advancing this field, saying, 'Women are waiting for better answers to improve their health, and the potential in this space is too great to ignore.'

This momentum, coupled with WHAM and Springboard Enterprises data-driven reports on investment opportunities, shows that leaders, investors, and policymakers are recognizing the critical importance of women’s health. Yet, as we forge ahead, challenges like the NIH freezes to uncertainty around HHS leadership remind us why we must stay the course—empowering patients, shaping policies, and fostering innovation through investments. 

💪 Momentum in Action: Women’s Health PAC

The Women’s Health PAC exemplifies what’s possible when we mobilize collective energy for change. A day after the Inauguration, the PAC shared a powerful message of resilience and progress:

“We’ve created a movement. We are now focused on building a self-sustaining organization that generates annual recurring revenue to fund candidates, lobbying, research, education, investment, and innovation for women’s health—a powerhouse, backed by the people, that cannot be ignored.”

On February 3rd, the Women’s Health PAC will host an event at the NYSE, featuring Maven Clinic’s Kate Ryder, journalist Tamsen Fadal, and Sunbal (Somi) Javaid. They’ll discuss bipartisan progress in women’s health and address critical issues like reimbursement and innovation in menopause care.

This collective action is what leaders like Cecile Richards fought for and what we must continue to build on.

🙏🏼 Honoring Cecile Richards’ Legacy

This week, we honor the life and legacy of Cecile Richards, a fearless leader who devoted her career to advancing women’s rights and access to healthcare. During her time as the head of Planned Parenthood, Richards faced relentless opposition, including funding threats and political attacks. Yet, she remained steadfast, reminding us that progress is always worth fighting for—even in the most turbulent times.

Her rallying cry at the Women’s March in 2017 still resonates:
"When it was all on the line, what did you do? The only acceptable answer is, everything we could."

Richards' influence extended far beyond Planned Parenthood. She co-founded Supermajority to mobilize women voters and played a pivotal role in ensuring that the Affordable Care Act included contraceptive coverage. Her legacy is a testament to the power of resilience and unwavering commitment to justice, even in the face of setbacks like the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

As we face our own challenges today—whether it’s political shifts, funding freezes, or systemic disparities—Richards’ story reminds us that the fight for women’s health is a long game. Her determination serves as a powerful example of how courage and advocacy can inspire change for generations to come. 

In her words:
"You take those setbacks, learn from them, and move forward."