March 26, 2026
LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s (LEO) Michigan Women’s Commission (MWC) released the Menopause Memorandum on their Menopause: It’s a Movement! initiative, which made key recommendations for employers and lawmakers on how to help women thrive in midlife, assist our communities and families and grow our economy.
“This report builds on the feedback of thousands of women who made their voices heard during a statewide tour across Michigan," said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. "Its recommendations are clear: more workforce supports and more menopause education for women and their physicians. I encourage employers and lawmakers alike to read the report, listen to these voices and help women thrive during this important stage of life. Let’s keep working together to make a difference.”
Gov. Whitmer previewed the report at a virtual event this week that highlighted key findings and data to inform employer and lawmaker recommendations to help women thrive during midlife and menopause.
Menopause: It’s a Movement! is a data-driven education and advocacy initiative focused on helping Michigan women thrive through menopause — at work, in healthcare, at home and beyond. The effort grew out of a clear need for more awareness and support, highlighted by strong engagement during a 2023 webinar hosted by MWC. Follow-up survey data in 2024 revealed that 60% of respondents had little to no knowledge of perimenopause or menopause, and many had not discussed it with their healthcare providers.
Building on the momentum, the initiative expanded statewide through 13 community conversations beginning in 2025, alongside Gov. Whitmer and Halle Berry, elevating women’s lived experiences and shaping a broader call to action. Since then, the effort has engaged more than 2,500 women, informed the introduction of seven menopause-related bills, and generated over 600 survey responses — creating one of the most robust state-level datasets on menopause and work in the country while positioning Michigan as a leader in midlife women’s health.
The information that MWC learned from the Menopause in the Workplace Survey and from the conversations held with women across the state led to the following recommendations for employers and lawmakers:
For Employers:
For Lawmakers:
“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. “As part of our mission to assess 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 support women at every stage.”
This report is part of ongoing efforts of the MWC to share women’s voices and take action on what women are telling us they need to thrive.
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