Press & Media

Columbia, SC – The Women’s Rights Empowerment Network (WREN) has acquired South Carolina Women in Leadership (SC WIL). WREN will be assuming, expanding, and refining SC WIL’s leadership development work. This acquisition brings together advocacy, education, and leadership training under one organization to strengthen gender justice and women’s leadership across South Carolina.

Columbia, SC — The Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network (WREN) has officially announced programming, speakers, and registration details for its 10-Year Anniversary Summit, taking place October 23, 2026 in Charleston, SC.

Columbia, SC — The Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network (WREN) strongly opposes S. 1095, legislation introduced this week in the South Carolina Senate that mirrors the extreme and deeply unpopular provisions of S. 323 – a bill that advocates, medical professionals, and South Carolinians fought hard to defeat.

Columbia, S.C. — The Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network (WREN) strongly condemns H. 3537 and H. 4760, two bills that represent a continued sweeping attack on bodily autonomy, reproductive health care, and personal freedom in South Carolina. Hearings for both bills have been scheduled for Wednesday, January 14 at 12pm in Room 110 of the Blatt Building at the Columbia Statehouse.  

Columbia, S.C. — Today, the South Carolina Senate Medical Affairs Subcommittee declined to advance Senate Bill 323. S.323 would have banned all abortion in the state, threatened access to IVF and contraception, criminalized healthcare providers, and restricted free speech.

Columbia, SC — The Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network (WREN) vehemently condemns Senate Bill 323, the most extreme abortion ban ever introduced in South Carolina and among the worst (if not the worst) in the country.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Today, a coalition of advocates, lawmakers, and community leaders -including the Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network (WREN), Palmetto State Teachers Association, The Harper Project, and Representative Neal Collins, celebrates the…

Columbia, SC – 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…

COLUMBIA, SC, March 12, 2025 – The Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network (WREN) has joined a coalition of South Carolina healthcare experts, advocates, and providers to file an amicus…

WREN is proud to stand with 50+ South Carolina organizations to protect Medicaid and SNAP from harmful cuts. The latest threats to federal funding will cut a third of…

WREN is proud to stand alongside over 170 organizations to condemn President Trump’s Executive Order targeting transgender, nonbinary, and intersex individuals   The order, which directs the federal government…

WREN, along with a coalition of partners across South Carolina, has filed an amicus brief in support of Taylor Shelton, a South Carolina woman who was denied access to…

In a decision hailed as a triumph for reproductive rights and maternal health advocacy, a South Carolina grand jury declined in August to indict a Black woman, Amari Marsh,…

WREN is immensely disappointed that Governor McMaster signed the discriminatory House Bill 4624 into law yesterday, cruelly banning medically necessary healthcare for transgender youth and some adults in South Carolina.

An exciting announcement marks the dawn of a new era at the Women’s Rights & Empowerment Network (WREN). With great pleasure, we introduce the distinguished Dr. Amalia Luxardo, who…

Today, the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled that the 6-week abortion ban passed by the state’s General Assembly in May does not violate the state’s Constitution, which means that…

A New Chapter, Powered by You August has felt like a month of both arrival and anticipation at WREN. Earlier this month, we officially introduced WREN’s…

A Note from Our New Director of Development My name is Ericka Tyner Grodrian, and I’m so pleased to introduce myself as WREN’s new Director of Development. As…

Progress, Partnership, and What’s Next June reminded us that progress happens in many ways, whether that’s policy victories, powerful partnerships, community conversations, or the people who show up every…

From Sine Die to Special Session and What’s Next As the General Assembly’s regular legislative session has come to a close, lawmakers have now moved into a …

Action, Momentum, and What’s Ahead April has brought powerful reminders of what is possible when our community shows up together. From dangerous legislation at the State House to…

Honoring Women’s History, Building South Carolina’s Future March is a powerful reminder of why our work at WREN matters. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, recognize International Women’s Day,…

Making Meaningful Moves The legislative session is moving quickly. Bills impacting economic security and reproductive freedom are advancing through committees. Amendments are being filed, decisions are being shaped in…

Standing Strong for Women & Girls We’re already seeing a familiar wave of attacks on the rights, health, and dignity of women and girls this legislative session. The stakes…

Hope, Progress, and Gratitude This November This month, we witnessed a powerful reminder of what is possible when South Carolinians raise their voices together. Thanks to your advocacy, …

Progress, Advocacy, and Action for South Carolina Women October was a month of meaningful progress and continued advocacy. From the release of our groundbreaking new report to the ongoing…

Advocacy, action, and the fight against SB 323 September was a month of mass mobilization. When we learned about Senate Bill 323 we shifted our efforts to ensure the…

Pushing Forward with Power & Purpose. As we release this newsletter on Women’s Equality Day, we celebrate progress while recognizing how much work remains. The 19th Amendment opened doors…

Justice, Joy & New Beginnings. While July may have felt like a quieter month on the surface, it was one of deep reflection, meaningful connection, and powerful preparation.

Pride. Power. Progress. A Look Back at June. June was a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come—and just how much we can build together. We celebrated Pride…

May Momentum: Collective Power Shined, Repro Rights Defended, and Goals Achieved May was packed with progress – the 2025 Legislative Session came to a close, and we …

April at WREN: Black Maternal Health, Community Impact, and Hiring News! Our team has been hard at work this month advocating for economic justice and reproductive freedom at the…

March Newsletter: Advocacy Wins, Events, and Our Empowering Playlist! This Women’s History Month, we’ve been hard at work fighting for reproductive freedom, expanded paid leave, DEI initiatives, and accessible…

New faces, celebrations and action items for the upcoming hearings! This month, I had the pleasure of celebrating one year as WREN’s CEO. It’s been an honor to stand…

Two things we hold dear: Affordable childcare and getting out to vote. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, childcare is “affordable” if it costs no…

Un-Fun Fact: Childcare in South Carolina is Expensive On August 1, the South Carolina Department of Social Services launched Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood-PLUS (MCCYN-PLUS), a program…

Standing Strong Together in Challenging Times Recent political news events have brought uncertainty to our nation. In response, we want to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to equality. Our CEO,…