Margaritas, Menopause, and Mental Wellness

Margaritas, Menopause & Mental Wellness is an evening of real talk, research-backed insight, and meaningful connection for anyone navigating - or curious about - hormonal shifts. In a space that’s equal parts supportive and empowering, with an OB/GYN, a Psychologist, and a Hormonal Health Coach, we’ll unpack the natural shifts impacting mood, anxiety, sleep, metabolism, etc. and explore everyday actionable tools to help you feel grounded and informed. We'll begin the night with a presentation and move to open dialogue with our panelists. Additionally, Three Avenues Bookshop will donate 25% of its profits to Friends of Burley for any purchases made during the event.

Come for the margaritas!
Leave with clarity and community.

Dr. Erica Hinz is an OB-GYN at the UIC Chicago and an abortion provider in Chicago, delivering full-spectrum reproductive healthcare. She is an educator, researcher, and state-level advocate who cares for patients across the lifespan and is committed to ensuring people can access safe, evidence-based care without barriers.Her research has helped guide national conversations about postpartum birth control, including a major clinical trial published in JAMA comparing different timing options for IUD placement after childbirth. She has also studied patient experiences with contraception counseling, how Medicaid coverage affects abortion access in Illinois, and how reproductive policies shape real-world healthcare. She has participated in policy discussions with leaders including Kamala Harris and Nancy Pelosi. She has testified before lawmakers, appeared in media outlets such as WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times, and regularly speaks about abortion access, reproductive justice, and menopause care. She is especially passionate about reframing perimenopause and menopause as essential parts of lifelong reproductive health and gender equity, and about calling attention to how the long-standing lack of menopause research reflects broader gender bias in medicine.

Shanta N. Kanukollu, Ph.D. (a.k.a “Dr. K”) is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and has over a decade of clinical experience working with clients of diverse backgrounds in the forensic and medical settings. She has also taught courses related to diversity and gender at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and Northwestern University. Shanta was a recipient of the Minority Fellowship Award during her graduate career at The University of Michigan, where she obtained her doctorate in Clinical Psychology and Women’s Studies. She currently has her own private practice in downtown Chicago where she provides psychotherapy to adults from diverse backgrounds, with a focus on South Asian clients. Shanta provides education and outreach regarding mental health outcomes in ethnic minority communities through her writing and professional speaking engagements across the country. Her latest speaking engagement was a TEDx talk titled, “Surviving vs. Thriving in the South Asian Community and Beyond”. She is an educator of patients through her clinical work and to the larger community through her Instagram account (@snk_therapy). She is also currently facilitating a Thriving Mindset Group for women wanting to make important shifts in their lives but need support in doing so.
Soni Bedi is a holistic health coach with 15 years of experience in patient experience. She founded PM Pause, a health coaching practice that combines research-backed hormone education and practical tools to empower clients to take charge of their health journey. Soni has partnered with multiple women and health organizations to design personalized experiences, bringing together her expertise in healthcare strategy, patient advocacy and health innovation. Throughout her career, her mission has been to increase access to the systems, knowledge, and resources needed to support long-term health.

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