Halle Berry Criticizes Gavin Newsom for 'Devaluing' Women and States He 'Shouldn't Be Our Next President' Just Before His Stage Appearance

At a recent summit, Halle Berry sharply criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom for vetoing a bill aimed at improving healthcare for menopausal women for the second consecutive year. Her comments came just moments before Newsom was scheduled to speak at the same event.

Speaking at The New York Times' DealBook Summit on December 3, Berry, 59, highlighted issues surrounding women's health and introduced her wellness company, Respin Health. During her speech, she directly addressed Newsom, 58, noting his repeated veto of the Menopause Care Equity Act (AB 432), legislation intended to expand access to medical treatments for menopause-related conditions.

Berry stated, In my home state of California, our governor, Gavin Newsom, has blocked the menopause bill two years running. But thats not permanent, and given how he has sidelined women in midlife, perhaps he shouldnt be our next president either. Her remarks elicited audible reactions from the audience.

She contrasted California's situation with Illinois, which has mandated coverage for hormone replacement therapy (HRT), emphasizing the growing attention to menopause care across the U.S.

A spokesperson from Newsoms office explained that the veto was intended to prevent potential increases in healthcare costs for working women. They reiterated the governors support for improving access to menopause treatment while balancing financial considerations, expressing confidence that collaborative efforts could achieve both goals in the future.

Berry continued her address by speaking candidly about aging and societal pressures on women. She declared, At this stage in my life, I have zero left to give, criticizing the cultural expectation for women to remain perpetually youthful. She highlighted the challenges faced by women over 50 in Hollywood and beyond, explaining that societal standards often measure a womans worth by her appearance.

Reflecting on her personal experiences, Berry discussed the difficulties she faced entering menopause without proper guidance. This inspired her to create Respin Health to support women navigating midlife health issues. She shared that she was unaware she was in menopause until age 54, noting the lack of education and awareness around the topic.

Berrys remarks underscored her advocacy for womens health and midlife visibility, calling attention to systemic issues while promoting proactive solutions through wellness initiatives.

Author: Lucas Grant