State Reps. Shusterman, Hanbidge, and Cephas invite the public to a rally for menopause awareness

Rep. Melissa Shusterman    September 10, 2026 | 11:30 AM

HARRISBURG, Sep. 10 – State Reps. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester, Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, and Morgan Cephas, D-Philadelphia, are inviting the public to attend their rally to support the ‘No Time for a Pause’ package of menopause-related legislation.

The rally will take place on Tuesday, September 29 at 1 p.m. in the Main Rotunda of the PA State Capitol building. The event is open to the public and media to attend. State legislators will discuss the impact menopause has on a woman’s health and general work productivity.

“Women spend one-third or more of their life in menopause, and yet there is a severe lack of medical research,” Shusterman said. “Menopause comes with a variety of symptoms, the severity of which can significantly impact daily life and work productivity. It’s time for the government to step up and prioritize women’s health at every stage of their life. The ‘No Time for a Pause’ package of menopause-related legislation is working to deliver better care, education and treatments to the women of PA.”

“Menopause and perimenopause affect our health, our families, our work and our quality of life, yet too many people still feel unseen and unsupported,” Cephas said. “The ‘No Time for a Pause’ package is about bringing this conversation out of the shadows, which marks an important step to address stigma, expand access to treatment and prioritize the needs of aging populations in our healthcare system. I encourage the public to get engaged as we work together to break the stigma, raise awareness and ensure that health equity remains at the center of how we shape policy, deliver care and support our communities.”

“Menopause affects millions of women, yet our healthcare system, workplaces and public policy too often fall short of meeting their needs. Women deserve access to the information, treatment and support necessary to manage its impact,” Hanbidge said. “Menopause can significantly affect a woman’s health, quality of life and ability to work, with consequences that extend to families, employers and our economy. Lost productivity and healthcare expenses related to menopause are estimated to cost $26.6 billion each year. We can and must do better.

“Supporting women means responding to their needs at every stage of life, including perimenopause and menopause. We must pass legislation that improves education, expands access to evidence-based treatments and ensures reasonable workplace accommodations. It is time to break down these barriers, advance these bills and ensure Pennsylvania women have the opportunity to thrive at every stage of life.”

All are invited to attend this rally and call to action.