Jennifer Weiss-Wolf: Breaking Barriers from Menstruation to Menopause

Overview

This episode dives into Jennifer Weiss-Wolf's groundbreaking work in menstrual equity, menopause policy, and their intersections with democracy and gender equity. As an activist and Executive Director of the Birnbaum Women's Leadership Center at NYU Law, Jennifer shares her fearless approach to advocacy, the societal implications of reproductive rights, and her vision for a more equitable future.

Notable Quotes

- Menstrual equity is about equitable opportunity to participate in society—whether that’s getting an education, going to work, or simply walking down the street. - Jennifer Weiss-Wolf, defining the concept she pioneered.

- If men menstruated, it would be seen as virile and powerful, and any pains or aches would have been cured long ago. - Jennifer Weiss-Wolf, on patriarchal systems and societal biases.

- The fight for democracy is intrinsic to the fight for our reproductive lives. - Jennifer Weiss-Wolf, connecting bodily autonomy to democratic participation.

🎤 Jennifer’s Activism and Writing

- Jennifer Weiss-Wolf emphasizes the importance of truth-telling in her activism, even in the face of backlash, such as hate mail following her op-eds.

- Her editorials, including references to Judy Blume’s Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret, explore themes of reproductive rights and societal decency.

- She highlights the intersection of art and protest, citing collaborations with graphic designers to create impactful visuals for marches and advocacy campaigns.

📚 Menstrual Equity: A Gateway to Policy Change

- Jennifer coined the term menstrual equity to address systemic barriers caused by lack of access to menstrual products, framing it as a matter of civic participation.

- She recounts how bipartisan support led to legislative victories, such as eliminating sales tax on menstrual products in multiple states.

- Menstrual equity has served as a gateway to broader gender equity discussions, including ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment in Illinois.

🔥 Menopause Policy and Advocacy

- Jennifer’s work on menopause policy stems from the lack of research, education, and accessible care, exacerbated by a misreported government study in 2002.

- She developed a six-step plan to tackle menopause issues, focusing on funding research, improving medical education, and regulating commercial claims.

- Her citizen’s guide to menopause policy has inspired legislative action in 13 states, signaling a growing movement for midlife women’s health equity.

⚖️ Reproductive Rights and Democracy

- Jennifer explains how attacks on reproductive rights are often the first step in undermining democracy, citing examples like Ohio’s gerrymandered legislature and ballot measures.

- She argues that controlling women’s bodies is a deliberate strategy to consolidate power, highlighting the interconnectedness of gender equity and democratic participation.

- Drawing on Erica Chenoweth’s research, Jennifer notes that women-led movements are historically effective in countering authoritarianism.

👩‍⚖️ Challenging Patriarchal Narratives

- Jennifer critiques comments by politicians like J.D. Vance, who trivialized the roles of postmenopausal women, calling them alienating and insulting.

- She celebrates the vibrancy and contributions of midlife women, from starting businesses to writing books, pushing back against reductive stereotypes.

- Jennifer underscores the importance of addressing systemic biases against women’s bodies, advocating for policies that reflect their societal value.