The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) hosted its 35th Annual Awards Gala on April 30, 2025 in Washington, DC at The Willard InterContinental. The annual event is dedicated to honoring leaders who are advancing women’s health and acts as a time to bring together providers, policymakers, researchers, and other leaders across health care – at a time when support for women’s health research is more crucial than ever.
“Thank you all for joining us tonight to celebrate our 35th anniversary. We would not be here without the support of each and every one of you,” said SWHR President and CEO Kathryn G. Schubert, MPP, CAE during her remarks. “As the story is told, 35 years ago, Dr. Florence Haseltine and a group of clinicians and researchers, many of whom are in this room, came together with a shared conviction that change was urgently needed to ensure that women were being studied, so as to improve the health of women. And they took action.”
The evening notably provided a moment to celebrate the Society 35th anniversary this year. In 1990, SWHR was founded and since has played a critical role in identifying clinical and research gaps; raising awareness of diseases, conditions, and life stages that differently, disproportionately, or exclusively affect women; and promoting policies that could positively shape health outcomes for women. Learn more about the history of SWHR and share your own SWHR story with the team here.
The Gala also honored leaders for their contributions to advancing women’s health throughout the career, presenting Women’s Health Visionary Awards to:
- Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) was honored for her leadership on menopause and healthy aging for women; Senator Capito was not in attendance at the evening, but the Society presented her award at her office on April 28. “[Women] deserve the scientific community’s attention and research,” said Senator Capito in her video remarks.
- Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL) was honored for her significant contributions in maternal health, including her work on the Black Maternal Health Caucus and her efforts on the Black Maternal Health Momnibus. “When we uplift women’s health, we uplift every community,” said Representative Underwood in her acceptance remarks.
- Kim Love was recognized for her commitment to improving women’s health in her role as an industry leader at Amgen, including the significant impact she has had on women’s health research by driving forward innovative initiatives, promoting research, and advocating for policies that address the unique health needs and challenges faced by women. Love charged guests at the event to “make friends… and then work together to improve women’s health.”
- Dr. Teresa Woodruff was awarded for her contributions to women’s health research in endocrinology, ovarian biology, and reproductive science, including her leadership surrounding the sex as a biological variable policy within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and integration of women’s health research across the NIH. “The promise of medicine is that tomorrow’s patients will be treated better than today’s,” Dr. Woodruff reminded guests.
Dr. Anita Ravi with PurpLE Health Foundation also joined the celebrations as the keynote speaker for the evening. Dr. Ravi co-founded the PurpLE Health Foundation in 2019, providing trauma- and survivor-informed health care to survivors of gender-based violence at no cost.
SWHR extends a sincere appreciation to our presenters and speakers, without whom the evening would not have been possible, including Board Member Gretta Stone and Board Chair Erika Miller, and Celina Gorre, Millicent Gorham, and Dr. Victor J. Dzau.
The entire evening was also live-posted on X (Twitter). Check out posts from the evening here.
Funds raised from the event support SWHR’s science, policy, and educational initiatives, which offer opportunities to highlight women’s health and to educate women, providers, and policymakers.
Explore the 2025 Annual Awards Gala Gallery!
SWHR 2025 Gala Presenters, Speakers, and Honorees
Thank you to Jon Fleming Photography for the event images. Thank you to Senate Photography for the image of Senator Capito.