October 17, 2025
LANSING, Mich. —As part of the ongoing Menopause: It’s a Movement effort, the Michigan Women's Commission (MWC) recently hosted a movie screening of Confessions of a Menopausal Femme Fatale by Satori Shakoor. Following the screening, participants took advantage of conversations and a safe space where women can openly share their mid-life health stories and find answers to the questions they have about menopause symptoms and treatments.
"When we create policies and workplace cultures that acknowledge and support women navigating menopause, we’re not only promoting health and dignity — we’re making a smart investment in our workforce and our economy,” said Susan Corbin, director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. “Supporting women at every stage of their careers helps retain experienced talent, boosts productivity and fosters workplaces where everyone can thrive. The return on that investment is healthier employees, stronger businesses and a more resilient economy for all."
Panelists included: Satori Shakoor, storyteller, actress, artistic director, founder, The Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers; Dr. Diana Bitner, OBGYN, author, Certified Menopause Practitioner, True Women’s Health; Paula Cunningham, state director, AARP Michigan; Dr. Sara Cramton, Certified Menopause Practitioner; Dr. Karen Litos, physical therapist, WCS, Women’s Health Board-certified specialist
“When I was first going through the symptoms of perimenopause, I noticed that I didn’t recognize myself. I was having hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, palpitating heart, brain fog, all these scary sorts of symptoms. And when I asked my mother, she didn’t remember going through it,” said Satori Shakoor. “I wanted to go through it and then on the other side, write about it, so that women coming behind me would have something. Every woman will have a different experience of symptoms, but I wanted there to be something for them and they wouldn’t have to go through what I went through. I hope they take some part of my story and allow it to make a difference. To let it ruminate, let it free them. You don’t have to be ashamed or uncomfortable about being a woman and being at this powerful stage of life with all these other years ahead of you, if you’re lucky.”
In the United States, women make up 51% of the population and roughly 75 million women are in perimenopause, menopause or post-menopause right now with 6,000 more women reaching menopause each day. A Mayo Clinic study put a price tag on menopause and estimated the costs of worker productivity losses due to menopausal symptoms to be about $1.8 billion per year in the U.S. and related health care costs total over $24 billion.
In 2024, MWC launched a survey to women across the state regarding their experiences with menopause in the workplace. MWC will use the data to release a report making recommendations to employers and policymakers on how to create menopause-supportive workplaces.
"Addressing menopause in the workplace is essential to understanding the full scope of challenges women face across their careers and lives,” said Cheryl Bergman, executive director of the Michigan Women’s Commission. “This work shines a light on an issue too often overlooked, yet one that directly impacts women’s health, economic security and professional growth. As part of our mission to review the status of women in Michigan, highlight critical issues and celebrate their contributions, the Menopause Movement is a vital step toward creating policies and workplaces that truly support women at every stage."
On March 12, 2025, MWC hosted a Women’s History Month event with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Halle Berry, and Dr. Pauline Maki convening community members, policy makers and health care related individuals to bring awareness to the lack of information and research about menopause jeopardizing women’s health.
This event kick started conversations MWC is holding around the state to create a safe space for women to share their stories, include local policy makers and health professionals to destigmatize this topic and create policy solutions.
Learn more about the Michigan Women’s Commission at michigan.gov/mwc.
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