Since 2016, WREN has made significant strides in advancing women’s rights and gender equity in South Carolina. Through its holistic approach, the organization has influenced policy changes that positively affect women and girls, increased public awareness of gender justice issues, and empowered individuals and communities to take action.
2025 Legislative Session Recap
The Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network (WREN) proudly reflects on a powerful 2025 legislative session marked by measurable victories, accelerating momentum, and collective resistance to harmful policies.
Ending the Tax on Period Products
After years of tirelessly raising awareness about the financial barriers that prevent too many people from accessing essential hygiene items, the governor signed a law to remove the sales tax on menstrual products such as pads, tampons, and menstrual cups. We will continue to advocate against period poverty and the stigma surrounding menstruation until everyone can manage their periods with dignity and without financial strain.
Charleston County Paid Parental Leave
WREN is dedicated to Paid Parental Leave for all. Studies suggest that parents who have access to paid leave are more likely to recover from childbirth complications and avoid postpartum depression. We advocated for employees of Charleston County to have six weeks of paid family leave for the birth or adoption of a child.
Decriminalized Self-Managed Abortion
One of WREN’s victories in advancing reproductive freedom in 2023 happened within the confines of an abortion ban (S.474). Despite the challenging political landscape, we strategically navigated and redirected the eagerness of anti-abortion sentiment to secure the decriminalization of self-managed abortion.
Permanent Contraception Coverage for Dependents on State Health Plan
Reproductive health is a strong focus of our advocacy and education efforts. Via an amendment to the state's six-week abortion ban, WREN successfully lobbied for expanded coverage for contraception for dependents on the state health plans.
Paid Parental Leave for State’s Education Workforce
WREN works to provide families with opportunities to take care of themselves. We have been advocating for the expansion of South Carolina's paid parental leave policy by including the education workforce. This legislation offers up to 6 weeks of paid family leave for the state's education workforce for the birth or adoption of a child, and up to 2 weeks of leave for the placement of a foster child.
Paid Parental Leave for State Employees
Paid parental leave for state employees built on WREN’s legislative successes of the Lactation Support Act and Pregnancy Accommodations Act to support pregnant and parenting people in the workplace. This legislation provides up to 6 weeks of paid family leave for state employees for the birth or adoption of a child, and up to 2 weeks for placement of a foster child.
Pharmacy Access Act
The Pharmacy Access Act is a practical and safe way to meet people’s needs for contraception, reduce unintended pregnancies, and improve health and economic outcomes for people in our state. As the leading gender justice organization in South Carolina, WREN convened physicians, pharmacists, partners, and legislators to build support for this policy. With this legislation, pharmacists can dispense contraceptives, eliminating the need for a separate visit to a healthcare provider for a prescription. This means that individuals now have easier access to the contraceptive methods they need, empowering them to make informed choices about their reproductive health without unnecessary hurdles.
Power Up Action Agenda
With input from the community, WREN created an action agenda to help employers recruit and retain talent while advancing women’s leadership in the workplace during the Power Up: Igniting a Resilient, Gender-Equitable Workforce for South Carolina event. This resource contains topic specific strategies and resources to advance women’s workforce participation and equitable workplaces.
SC Gender Justice Advocacy Fellowship Launch
The South Carolina Gender Justice Advocacy Fellowship was a six-month-long fellowship program designed to reimagine advocacy to reflect a broader representation of our communities’ perspectives and experiences. Fellows gained access to tools and skills needed to influence public policy in South Carolina, while engaging in the legislative process during an active legislative session.
Women in the Workforce Report
The COVID-19 pandemic stretched the national economy to a breaking point causing unemployment to spike, especially among women. Here in South Carolina and around the country this caused a "she-cession." Learn more about the impacts of COVID on women's workforce participation and strategies to end the labor shortage.
Architecture of Strength
“Women deserve to be seen and heard in this city,” said former WREN CEO Ann Warner. The Architecture of Strength is a 17-foot tall, stainless steel monument built to honor Columbia’s women was installed at the corner of Main and Gervais streets. Created by Deedee Morrison, this monument stands at the intersection of politics and commerce as a reminder that women should be seen and heard in public life.
#WRENThisTogether
WREN moved its annual summit online. #WRENThisTogether Virtual Summit marks the organization's fourth annual conference, and first fully-virtual event, thanks to title sponsor and Columbia, S.C.-based Abacus Planning Group. The six-week series launched on Thursday, September 10, and was free for attendees.
South Carolina Lactation Support Act Victory
After successfully advocating for the Pregnancy Accommodations Act, WREN continued its efforts by pushing for a new law that guarantees all employees the right to take a break for expressing breastmilk in a private, clean environment. This win ensured that people who need at least 15 minutes to express breastmilk have a suitable place to do so, instead of using a bathroom.
12-Month Supply of Contraceptives Through Medicaid
Everyone should have access to healthcare and the right to make decisions regarding their bodies. WREN supported a policy that provides individuals on Medicaid with access to 12 months of self administered contraception (pills, patch, ring) with a year-long supply. This policy helps to remove barriers, such as transportation and expenses, that often hinder access to essential healthcare items that support bodily autonomy.
SC Gender Wealth Gap Report
This brief aims to raise awareness and inspire action to close the gap and advance prosperity in South Carolina. It defines the gender and racial wealth gap; quantifies the gap in South Carolina; highlights some of the factors that create and perpetuate it; and offers high-level policy recommendations.
Anti-Shackling of Pregnant Incarcerated People Act Passed
WREN joined our partners in demanding the end of the cruel practice of restraining incarcerated people while they are pregnant, in labor, giving birth, or recovering from birth. This legislation was a step towards ensuring that everyone has the support they need for healthy pregnancies, deliveries, and births.
Our Voice 2020 Survey
On behalf of WREN and in partnership with the National Women’s Law Center, Change Research surveyed 1,450 South Carolina women of various sexual orientations and LGBTQ people representing a range of gender identities who were likely to vote in the 2020 election. The purpose of this survey was to understand the lives, issues, and policy priorities of women and LGBTQ people in South Carolina.
Barriers to Gender Justice
In collaboration with the National Women’s Law Center, WREN released a report that reveals multiple barriers to gender justice. As a result of a history of discriminatory practices, women in South Carolina face disparities based on race, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity. This report focuses on a host of issues that illustrate the barriers women in South Carolina face.
Building Together: Harnessing our Power for Gender Equity
The National Women’s Law Center’s President and CEO, Fatima Goss Graves; Black Lives Matter Co-Founder, Alicia Garza; and Campaign Zero Co-Founder and member of Ferguson Uprising, Brittany Packnett Cunningham visited Charleston for a “fireside chat” as a part of an inaugural forum on gender equity. The goal of the forum was “to highlight the power that women and gender-expansive people have to shape their future in South Carolina and across the country.
WREN Summit
WREN held its third annual statewide Summit at the Columbia Museum of Art. This year we welcomed keynote speaker A’ja Wilson, former Lady Gamecock, current WNBA Las Vegas Aces player, 2018 Rookie of the Year, FIBA World Cup Gold Medalist, founder of the A'ja Wilson Foundation, and equal pay and women’s empowerment advocate. The theme of the 2019 summit was "The Time is Now." If we continue on our current path, women will not receive equitable pay to men until 2059. WREN convened over 50 Summit speakers and 12 breakout sessions focused on this theme and call to actions: the time is NOW for building individual and collective commitments to close the gender and racial wage gap and accelerate women’s economic empowerment in South Carolina.
Columbia City of Women
Columbia City of Women launched with the goal of recognizing women’s contributions to the capital city and advocating for their inclusion in public spaces. Historic Columbia and WREN launched the initiative with the unveiling of a map that honors the legacy of trailblazing women.
Upstate Summit
WREN held its first annual Upstate Summit at Furman University. Following a legacy of state-wide events, this full-day conference provided specialized content and collaborative opportunities geared towards partners, advocates, students, and businesses that work and operate in the Upstate region of South Carolina. The summit focused on Women’s Economic Empowerment by providing an engaging mix of networking, panel discussions, and initiative development aimed at increasing the economic well-being of diverse women, gender minorities, and families that live in Upstate communities.
South Carolina Pregnancy Accommodations Act
WREN collaborated with partners to support a policy that offered reasonable accommodations for employees who are pregnant, recovering from childbirth, or need to express milk. This policy supported pregnant workers’ health and well-being by providing opportunities during working hours to support their needs, like longer breaks or modifying schedules and tasks.
WREN Summit & Gubernatorial Forum
WREN held its second annual statewide Summit on April 9-10 in downtown Columbia to coincide with Equal Pay Day, the additional day in the year that the average woman would have had to work to earn what the average man would have earned in only 12 months. The summit focused on Women’s Economic Empowerment. Day one featured panels and workshops that examined the theme of women’s economic empowerment, and on day two, WREN hosted a gubernatorial forum where candidates spoke on economic issues that face women and families in South Carolina.
Seen & Heard
Seen & Heard: Women and Girls in the Midlands is a photovoice project by WREN in partnership with Indie Grits Labs, aimed at elevating the stories of women and gender minorities to create conversation and awareness around shared opportunities and barriers.
Launch of the Be the Voice Campaign
Be the Voice is a campaign to bring together a strong, collective voice in South Carolina to advocate with and on behalf of women and their families to ensure that we each have the ability to make our own health decisions and to access the care that we need without judgment, stigma or barriers.
First WREN Summit
The first annual statewide WREN Summit convened more than 200 people to take action on Equal Pay Day in 2017 and presented the research report Tremendous Potential: The Economic Impact of Increasing Women’s Participation in the Workforce.
Our Birthday!
The Women’s Rights & Empowerment Network was established in 2016 to build a diverse and inclusive movement that supports women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals by amplifying their voices and promoting justice for all.
Take Action With WREN
Learn how you can take action to support women and girls in South Carolina — from supporting our legislative priorities to volunteering in person, you can help.