Actress Halle Berry has taken a firm stance against California’s Governor, Gavin Newsom, asserting that he is overlooking the needs of women, particularly regarding menopause care. This comes in light of his veto of bills aimed at addressing this issue for two consecutive years.
During a recent speech at the Dealbook Summit, Berry didn’t hold back her criticism, saying, “In my great state of California, my own Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a menopause bill for not one, but two years in a row. But that’s OK. He’s not going to be governor forever, and I don’t think he should be the next president because he has devalued us and ignored half the population, women. I’m just saying.”
Newsom responded after her remarks, suggesting that Berry might not be fully aware of the ongoing efforts to integrate menopause care into the state’s 2026-2027 budget. However, Berry expressed on The Cut that she hasn’t received any follow-up from his office about the proposal, which can be frustrating to say the least.
“It’s disturbing when people say they’re going to do something and then don’t actually do it,” Berry remarked. “But he heard me. If he’s going to run for president, he can’t do it without addressing women’s issues. Wake up, Gavin.”
A spokesperson for Newsom expressed disappointment in Berry’s comments, defending the governor by stating that the latest budget proposal aims to support menopause care. They even shared a draft of the menopause care bill to clarify their intentions.
Berry has previously stated in an opinion piece that Newsom “dropped the ball” on menopause care. It’s certainly a significant issue for many women, and Berry emphasized in a recent statement that it’s frustrating to see California women still waiting for adequate medical support, especially when progress seems so close. Her passion for this topic is palpable, highlighting the need for more attention and action on women’s health issues.
