Established five years ago in January 2016, the NIH policy on the Consideration of Sex as a Biological Variable (SABV) is a part of a global movement to integrate the study of sex into research. Considering SABV in research studies and reporting results by sex lead to a more complete knowledge base that improves rigor and reproducibility, a tenet of good science. Increased knowledge leads to more productive future research, more effective treatments, and better health for women (and men). The coronavirus pandemic has revealed critical gaps in our knowledge base, intransigent health disparities and health inequities, and runs the risk of reversing years of progress toward gender equity. It is a reason to redouble our efforts to apply NIH policies, fully integrate the study of sex into the research process, and support women’s advancement in biomedical research careers.