This year, SXSW honored International Women’s Day on March 8 by dedicating its Health & MedTech track to women’s healthcare. The panels that day brought a refreshing mix of powerful stories and eye-opening statistics. It felt like an overdue acknowledgment of critical issues in women’s health – but the experience was, as we discovered, both inspiring and sobering.
The Hard Truths
The statistics shared at the event painted a stark picture, underscoring just how far we still have to go. Consider these striking facts:
- 22 states still tax essential period products, while other medical devices are tax-exempt.
- Only 7% of OBGYNs feel adequately trained to treat menopause. (Science Direct)
- Prenatal screening schedules haven’t evolved in nearly 100 years, requiring 12–14 visits despite advances in technology.
- Healthcare professionals are only paid for “catching” the baby, creating a system that deprioritizes care during earlier visits.
- There are 16+ verticals in women’s health, yet not a single biopharma company is dedicated solely to serving this space.
- 2017 was the first year that women and minorities were required to be included in clinical trials. (NIH)
And the inequities don’t end there. Women spend billions more annually on healthcare in the U.S. alone (thanks in part to the “pink tax”) and disproportionately suffer from conditions with inadequate research or support. Layered on top of this is the fact that just 2% of venture capital funding (Forbes) goes to female founders, stifling innovation before it even begins.
These figures are more than just numbers; they represent systemic barriers that harm not only women but society as a whole. Women’s health isn’t niche. It impacts everyone through fertility, public health, and even economic stability.
A Mixed Landscape
Despite the importance of these issues, many of the SXSW 2025 panels dedicated to women’s health faced a disappointing reality. Beautiful, spacious rooms sat nearly empty. Attendees were mostly women, further highlighting a challenge these advocates know all too well: getting broader, more diverse audiences to care. Women’s health may affect everyone, but too often, the burden of addressing it falls solely on women.
Yet, amid this sobering reality, the event’s real strength shone through in the passion and perseverance of its speakers.
Stories of Hope and Resilience
The session “Spite Tracking: Why & How It’s Changing Women’s Healthcare” illustrated this resilience perfectly. Panelists like (from left to right) Theresa Neil, Dr. Jennifer Hintzsche, Kim Smith, and Jennifer Kite-Powell exemplify innovation born from pain and determination.
The panelists’ stories are proof of how adversity can spark innovation. Many of these women were established leaders in their fields before a personal health crisis inspired them to pivot their careers, launch businesses, and advocate for systemic change.
For example, Dr. Jennifer Hintzsche, a pioneering bioinformatician, refused to accept “infertile” as her diagnosis. Using her expertise, she developed The PherDal Kit, the first FDA-cleared, sterile, at-home insemination kit, to offer an accessible solution for fertility. Her drive mirrors the growing financial independence women are carving out for themselves – stepping into uncharted territories with resilience and purpose.
“I didn’t set out to disrupt women’s healthcare—I just wanted to have a child,” said Hintzsche. “As a PhD working in precision oncology, I knew that 'unexplained infertility' wasn’t a real answer. So, I did what women have always done: I solved the problem myself. The system wasn’t built for us, so we’re building new systems. We’re done waiting for permission to innovate. Women are solving problems with science, compassion, and the kind of resilient spite that refuses to accept the status quo.”
This new era of women-led innovation, much like the feminization of wealth (Forbes), is strikingly risk-aware. Just as women in finance tend to prioritize sustainability and long-term outcomes over speculative risks, these healthcare trailblazers are focused on meaningful, enduring solutions. They’re not afraid to break taboos and challenge outdated norms, from addressing stigmas around infertility to demanding more equitable care.
What’s also evident is their commitment to community and collective action. Much like women taking charge of their financial futures by advocating for financial literacy and systemic change, these panelists are creating spaces for honest conversations in healthcare. They’re not just tackling healthcare challenges but reshaping perceptions about what’s possible when women lead.
The feminization of wealth has shown that when women control resources, they tend to use them to build stronger, more equitable systems. The same principle is at play here. The message from these trailblazers is clear: progress starts with breaking barriers, amplifying conversations, and taking bold, concerted actions. It’s not just about solving individual problems; it’s about lifting entire communities and reimagining the systems that serve them.
These stories are a beacon of hope. They show us that the fight for health equity and the growing financial empowerment of women are parts of the same narrative. By challenging the status quo, these women illustrate the incredible impact of resilience, solidarity, and risk-aware leadership in reshaping our futures.
Where Do We Go From Here?
The key takeaway from SXSW 2025’s women’s health focus was clear: we can’t wait for individual women to endure hardship, secure funding, and solve systemic problems on their own. This work belongs to all of us.
The solution starts with raising awareness. That means normalizing conversations about women’s health and refusing to bow to stigma or censorship on biological topics. But awareness is just the beginning. From there, we need coordinated action.
The three words repeated frequently on stage were simple, yet deeply impactful:
- GIVE your time and resources.
- INVEST in ideas, organizations, and leaders working for innovation in women’s health.
- ADVOCATE for policy changes and better support systems.
Because until we prioritize these efforts collectively, women’s health will remain on the fringes.
A Community of Solidarity
Beyond the panels, the event carried an undeniable sense of solidarity. There was a sisterhood woven through SXSW 2025 this year, visible in everything from guerrilla marketing campaigns plastered on sidewalks to pop-up booths showcasing women-led products and services. However, there’s always room to grow. We hope SXSW 2026 fosters even more opportunities for attendees to connect, collaborate, and celebrate the progress in women’s health together.
Final Thoughts
There is no denying the long road ahead. But the voices we heard at SXSW 2025 were bold and unrelenting, and they left us with a sense of hope. Change isn’t just possible; it’s happening. And each of us has a role to play in accelerating it.
If we lean on the advice shared by the inspiring leaders at SXSW 2025 this year – to give, invest, and advocate – we can help reshape what’s possible. Women’s health isn’t just about women. It’s about all of humanity. And together, we can create a future that makes room for everyone.
By: Leah Cepko and Jolanta Schwartz
