I Saw the Future of Women’s Wellness at the SHE Media SXSW Co-Lab

It felt sort of like stepping into a different country, though I couldn’t have been closer to home.

What was this place, just 20 minutes from my University of Austin apartment, where experts talked about the future of women’s health and wellness, all while rocking the best business-casual outfits I’d ever seen?

This, dear reader, was the SHE Media Co-Lab @ SXSW.

As a student studying biology, anthropology, and digital arts and media, when I found out about the opportunity to cover this special event, I knew I had to apply. The description promised a diverse array of panelists covering all aspects of women’s health — from media representation to the biological and social nitty-gritty of wellness — and it delivered.

When I arrived, I joined the other undergraduates and met SheKnows Editor-in-Chief Kat Steinberg. This was my first time attending any sort of panel, and when the speakers and moderators walked in, it felt like being on the set of a late-night show.

Once they got going, I was surprised that the moderators were often just as knowledgeable as the speakers — there not just to lead the discussion, but to add to it, with multiple perspectives.

Steinberg told us that the SHE Media team had tried their best to make the event as “sticky” as possible — moving things along in a way that helps each speaker “stick” in your mind, while also avoiding burning out the audience. As someone who often has a hard time paying attention to lectures, I can tell you that they succeeded.

At the Co-Lab (a witty play on words with “collab” and “lab,” perfect for the trendy, sciency, modern feel of the event), there were guest speakers from all walks of life, each with a unique story to share. We heard the brave, somehow light-hearted yet heavy account of one woman’s battle with cancer. A doctor explained to the audience what endometriosis actually is. And a panel of women in leadership roles at health businesses told us how companies can do a better job making their brand more relatable.

I remained immersed in the topic of women’s health even while walking around during breaks, thanks to the many tables displaying new products. As someone from a family in which many women struggle with menopause symptoms, I was glad to learn of all the new technology that was already out there to help. And one of the most impactful moments for me was trying on a VR headset showing a short interactive film about a woman dealing with menopause. I realized that when I get to that age, it will not be nearly as hard for me to go through that experience as it is for women right now thanks to the experts putting in the work right now.

As a biology major, I was inspired by the possibility of maybe someday working with some of these amazing people who want to make life easier for women. The progress being made towards the future of women’s health isn’t going nearly as slowly as I thought. And with more support and awareness for the work being done, future generations of women will one day be able to expect much more for their personal wellness.

Adah Skaff was born in Austin, Texas and raised between there and Edinburgh, Scotland. A rising senior biology major at UT Austin who is also pursuing a certificate in Digital Art and Media, she loves learning about everything the world has to offer.