Unmuting Menopause Across Generations - Toni Buckley, MA, Dipl.

You might be thinking: Wait… Why should I care about Menopause?

In this interactive workshop, students will explore what they have learned, or not learned, about menopause and other significant life transitions. Have your schools or colleges prepared you to understand this stage of life? What messages have you received about menopause from family, friends, social media, or popular culture? Have you ever had a meaningful conversation about it with a parent, grandparent, mentor, or loved one? If not, why do you think that is?

The truth is that the future of work is being shaped right now by your generation. The policies, cultures, and leadership practices you encounter throughout your academic and professional career will affect how people experience major life transitions, including menopause.

In this interactive workshop, students will explore what they have learned, or not learned, about menopause and other significant life transitions. Have your schools or colleges prepared you to understand this stage of life? What messages have you received about menopause from family, friends, social media, or popular culture? Have you ever had a meaningful conversation about it with a parent, grandparent, mentor, or loved one? If not, why do you think that is?

Together, we will examine why a life transition that affects half the population remains largely absent from educational institutions, workplace conversations, and leadership development. Participants will have the opportunity to share their perspectives on what future employers should understand about menopause and what types of support, flexibility, and workplace accommodations would help all employees thrive throughout their careers.

Through intergenerational dialogue and reflection, students will gain insight into how experiences of health, belonging, and work evolve across the lifespan. They will be challenged to think beyond their role of students and begin considering their future roles as leaders, managers, colleagues, and advocates who help shape workplace culture.

This workshop invites participants to see menopause not as a "women's issue," but as a leadership issue, a workplace culture issue, and an opportunity to create more human-centered organizations. By connecting their own lived experiences with students’ future leadership journeys, participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how they can contribute to this cutting-edge workers' movement and help shape workplaces where every person can thrive through life's transitions.

The future of work and community is not something that happens to us. It is something we create together, across generations.

Should you have any questions, please email Shami Bery Andalcio - [email protected].