Access, Art, and Awareness at Menopause Event in Livermore Library

Livermore, California — At a recent community screening of The M Factor, a documentary film exploring the often-silenced experiences of menopause, organizers took an inclusive approach by ensuring that members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community were included in the conversation.

Hosted by the Dublin Arts Collective (DAC) in partnership with the Livermore Library in recognition of Arts, Culture and Creativity Month (ACCM), the free screening was accompanied by live American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation throughout the event, including a post-screening panel featuring healthcare professionals, fitness coaches, and Deaf advocates. For many in attendance, it was the first time menopause-related content was made accessible in this way.

Menopause is a universal experience, but the resources and language used to describe it are far from inclusive,” said Apryl Chauhan, event partner and ASL Interpreter. “This event was a step toward health equity—ensuring Deaf women have the same access to education, support, and a voice in the conversation. I hope we can continue working closely with the Deaf community to expand the ASL vocabulary around menopause, educate interpreters who work in the community, and give all women access to quality Menopause care.”

Attendees were invited to reflect on how menopause affects mental health and physical well-being, with an emphasis on the unique challenges faced by marginalized groups, including those with limited access to culturally competent care.

The screening marked the third such event hosted by the DAC as part of an ongoing series exploring health through community dialogue and the visual arts. “The feedback from participants has demonstrated that this platform works well to engage and disseminate valuable information about the menopause transition,” said organizer Vanessa Thomas. “By using art, storytelling, and expert voices, we’re making the information more accessible and less intimidating.”

That mission ties directly into the 2025 theme of ACCM: Health, Healing, and Hope. Leveraging visual arts to expand menopause education not only humanizes the topic—it also opens the door to communities that have historically been left out of these conversations.

Another artistic component to this event was a menopause poem delivered by Faith Alpher, comedian and radio personality. The attendees appreciated Faith lending her incredible voice, wit, and heart to the M Factor Movie screening. This was the first time the poem was performed in public and will be released shortly once copyrighting processes have concluded. It set the tone for the event bringing laughter, validation and a sense of community.

The event, which filled to capacity, demonstrated a growing public appetite for honest, accessible dialogue around women’s health—and a reminder that true inclusivity requires intention and investment.

Panelists for the event included Dr Mytilee Vermuri (Women's Wellness Clinic, Stanford Medicine), Dr Bettina Zatuchni (Pleasanton Gynecology), Julie Rems-Smario (Co-Founder LEAD-K), Jessica Fitzgibbons and Christine Pham (CrossFit CSA) and Apryl Chauhan (ASL Interpreter).

“We are grateful to all the experts and the ASL Interpreters who volunteered their time for this event.” said Emily Lowell, Supervising Librarian for Livermore Library and co-organizer, “We intend to expand our adult programming for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community at Livermore Library and this event was a great way to get that started. Our Storytime events for children have already been very well received”.

As conversations around menopause begin to shift in the public consciousness, this screening offered a powerful example of what it means to bring everyone to the table.