#025: A powerful question. A historic room. And a fire that’s been reignited.
By Valerie |
Last week, I stood inside the House of Commons for the launch of What Women Want Now - a revival of the iconic campaign that, 30 years ago, asked women across the UK one deceptively simple question:
“What do you want?”
Over 10,000 women responded.
For many, it was the first time anyone had ever asked them what they actually wanted.
Until then, everything had been assumed. Projected. Decided for them.
But when they spoke, they were clear:
Equity in the workplace. Parity in healthcare.
To be seen. To be heard. To be taken seriously, as individuals.
Now, the question is back. And this time, it cuts even deeper.
Because 30 years on, we’re still battling outdated systems.
Still sidelined in research, ignored in boardrooms, dismissed in GP surgeries.
Still rarely asked what we want and even more rarely listened to when we answer.
But now, it’s no longer just about our wants.
It’s about what we want for our daughters. Our sons. Our workplaces. Our bodies. Our communities. Our planet.
We know these inequalities don’t just harm women, they fracture society. They show up everywhere, from policy to practice, in every field at every level.
And in that room at Westminster, you could feel it:
Women have had enough.
Here’s the part that makes me fiercely hopeful. When women come together, things shift. That room was electric, full of bold, brilliant women determined to raise their voices.
I saw what happens when we share our truths, and others truly listen. And I remembered something I’ve always believed: Change doesn’t happen when we ask for permission. It happens when we demand better.
When I was asked what I want, I didn’t hesitate: I want every woman to understand her hormones long before perimenopause blindsides her.
Because too many of us suffer in silence.
Too many are misdiagnosed, dismissed, or told it’s "just stress" or "just ageing."
That’s why we’re building Valerie, to put perimenopause in the spotlight. To turn whispered symptoms into shared strength.
To take what’s been hidden… and make it unmissable.
So now I’m asking you:
What do you really want, not just for yourself, but for the world we’re shaping together.
Say it. Shout it. Write it down. And say it here
This isn’t just a moment. It’s a movement.
And trust me, we’re just getting started.
Love Valerie x
We’ll bring the facts, the empathy, and the practical tips, all you need to do is show up. And did we mention it’s FREE. Want to know more? Hit reply
And check out the blog by Julie, founder of Menohealth, with her top tips on how to talk to your manager and team about peri and ask for support.
Perimenopause At Work
Be honest. If you’ve ever stared blankly at your inbox for 10 minutes wondering why you opened it, or sat in a meeting silently praying someone else remembers what you're supposed to be talking about, this one's for you.
Perimenopause isn’t just hot flushes. It’s brain fog, anxiety spikes, memory slips and a total energy nosedive - all while still holding it together at work.
If your company actually values midlife women (not just in theory), do everyone a favour and get the conversation started.
We’re offering free education events for teams, no jargon, no awkwardness, just honest talk about what perimenopause really looks like and how to support those going through it.
We’ll bring the facts, the empathy, and the practical tips, all you need to do is show up. And did we mention it’s FREE. Want to know more? Hit reply
And check out the blog by Julie, founder of Menohealth, with her top tips on how to talk to your manager and team about peri and ask for support.
What We Are Listening To
Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez. A game-changing read that exposes the data bias in a world designed for men, from medicine to workplace policies. Essential if you’ve ever felt the system wasn’t built with you in mind.
