The team at Caci Blenheim hosted Women Who Lunch, Perimenopause Unfiltered, an afternoon of bold and frank conversation led by Morgan Penn, Somatic Sexologist and a panel of expert speakers.
This is the fourth year this event has been held, and it keeps getting bigger, bolder and spicier. This year was all about lifting the lid off a subject that is often considered taboo. This event was about normalising, understanding and navigating the impact hormonal changes have on women physically, mentally, professionally and sexually.
At Caci, there is a strong belief that confidence goes far deeper than skin. It’s about education, empowerment, and ensuring women feel supported and seen in every stage of life. This event brought that belief to life in a powerful way.
The energy in the room was described as honest, generous and brave. A space filled with laughter, vulnerability and meaningful conversations and a reminder of the impact that comes from simply showing up for one another.
In Conversation with Krista, Caci Blenheim
How does this event reflect what Caci stands for in your community?
I believe in women showing up for each other. I believe that we deserve expert advice about our skin and bodies and minds. This event was about normalising and understanding the impact hormonal changes have our bodies as women; the physical, the mental, the social, the professional, the sexual.
I believe in women showing up for each other. I believe that we deserve expert advice about our skin and bodies and minds. This event was about normalising and understanding the impact hormonal changes have our bodies as women; the physical, the mental, the social, the professional, the sexual.
What inspired you to create Women Who Lunch?
Six years of conversations with our Caci clients. Every client journey starts with a chat it’s not just about skin, and how we look. It’s about how we feel. Realising that I was not alone in how I have felt over the years, and the lack of normalisation and lack of accurate information, even from our GP’s about hormones, planted the seed for this event.
Six years of conversations with our Caci clients. Every client journey starts with a chat it’s not just about skin, and how we look. It’s about how we feel. Realising that I was not alone in how I have felt over the years, and the lack of normalisation and lack of accurate information, even from our GP’s about hormones, planted the seed for this event.
Another inspiration was my kids. They had puberty lessons at school and came home knowing what changes to expect, before it all happens. At home we are very open and talk about hormonal changes as a normal and natural thing, even at the dinner table. Our kids know what to expect with changes in skin, bodies, emotions and sex education. Before it all happens! It’s a normal and natural and even celebrated process for them. Women deserve the same clear information and openness about this subject without shame.
Was there a moment that stood out to you the most?
The collective energy of 180 women in one room. Seeing the laughter and tears. We were all there for the harrowing and the hilarious. The feeling of empowerment, the support for each other and that united feeling that we aren’t alone was my standout moment. There was a real sense of “it’s about dam time” and we were all there for it.
The collective energy of 180 women in one room. Seeing the laughter and tears. We were all there for the harrowing and the hilarious. The feeling of empowerment, the support for each other and that united feeling that we aren’t alone was my standout moment. There was a real sense of “it’s about dam time” and we were all there for it.
What do you hope women took away from the event?
My deepest hope is that we all walked away from the event feeling safe, empowered, educated, inspired, supported, and stimulated. My hope is that new connections and friendship were made. My hope is they tapped into enough information to advocate for themselves and each other with confidence.
My deepest hope is that we all walked away from the event feeling safe, empowered, educated, inspired, supported, and stimulated. My hope is that new connections and friendship were made. My hope is they tapped into enough information to advocate for themselves and each other with confidence.
Why do you think events like this are important for women right now?
"Hysteria" for 100’s of years was a term used to pathologize women's emotional, physical, and mental behaviours as a disorder originating from the uterus. From the Greek word for womb, it evolved from the "wandering womb" theory to a "nervous" condition in the 19th-century. It was only then removed in 1980 from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders which is the authoritative guidebook published by the American Psychiatric Association used by clinicians to diagnose and classify mental health conditions. We still have such a long way to go on this subject. We still aren’t getting the accurate information and care from some GP’s and there are still so many myths that need to be debunked and confusion that needs to be cleared up. We must keep this conversation going and normalise the impact of hormonal changes and be better supported.
"Hysteria" for 100’s of years was a term used to pathologize women's emotional, physical, and mental behaviours as a disorder originating from the uterus. From the Greek word for womb, it evolved from the "wandering womb" theory to a "nervous" condition in the 19th-century. It was only then removed in 1980 from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders which is the authoritative guidebook published by the American Psychiatric Association used by clinicians to diagnose and classify mental health conditions. We still have such a long way to go on this subject. We still aren’t getting the accurate information and care from some GP’s and there are still so many myths that need to be debunked and confusion that needs to be cleared up. We must keep this conversation going and normalise the impact of hormonal changes and be better supported.
A Community-Led Event
Caci Blenheim is incredibly proud to stand alongside local leaders, businesses and the women who made this event what it was. Supporting local is more than a statement it’s a commitment to collaboration, connection and building something meaningful together.
A special thank you to the speakers who brought insight, honesty and depth to the conversation:
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Morgan Penn
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Dr Jordan Gibbs
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Dr Bex Bell
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Dr Rachel Thomas
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Tamara Gillan
To every woman who attended, shared openly and showed up, thank you.
Events like Women Who Lunch are a reminder of the power of community, conversation and care and as Krista shared, this feels like only the beginning.
