Blog
by Sarah Nichols on Feb 12, 2019
To all of our dear advocates and supporters out there: This isn’t the first time we’ve told you this, and it certainly won’t be the last, but your voice matters. And so do your stories. Research has proven time and again that personalized messaging to lawmakers is the most effective form of advocacy. When your
Advocate Stories, Leadership and Civic Engagement
by Courtney Thomas on Feb 7, 2019
The General Assembly started their session with innovation in the release of the “SC Legislature” app. This mobile app will make staying connected during the legislative session easier and more efficient. Here are 5 easy steps to effectively use this new app: Download the app As with all applications, the SC Legislature app requires a
Economic Opportunity, News, Policy Updates
by Megan Plassmeyer on Jan 15, 2019
WREN, alongside Representative Wendy Brawley, hosted a Statehouse gathering and press conference today to announce support of the Act to Establish Pay Equity. “Today is the day we make a pledge to do everything in our power to prevent gender and racial pay disparities,” said Representative Wendy Brawley. “I ask my colleagues and community members
Economic Opportunity, Policy Updates
by Ashley Lidow on Jan 8, 2019
South Carolina officials are proposing that very low-income parents and caregivers who qualify for Medicaid fulfill new reporting requirements to show they are working at least 80 hours a month or participating in job-training or volunteer activities. If they do not, they face the loss of their health coverage. The state is seeking a Section
Economic Opportunity, Policy Updates
by Ashley Lidow on Jan 4, 2019
As the 2019 Legislative Session approaches, we are watching closely to see what bills are introduced in the South Carolina legislature. A bill to ratify the ERA was prefiled (introduced prior to the official start of session) by Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter. So what is the ERA? ERA stands for Equal Rights Amendment and it would
Leadership and Civic Engagement
by WREN Staff on Dec 19, 2018
It’s the start of the new year: the time when people make promises to themselves and to others on how this year is going to be better than the last. It’s often hard to stay true to your resolutions, but here at WREN, we know one thing for sure: in 2019, we are committed to
by WREN Staff on Nov 20, 2018
It is easy to get discouraged with all of the bad news and hateful messages that can circulate on the internet and our phones. So here at WREN, we want to take a moment to express our thanks and gratitude for the many things we have to be thankful for–including you, dear reader, and everyone
by Anna Brannigan on Nov 16, 2018
For one of our recent Facebook Live Fridays, we were joined by Faith Adedokun from the Network for Southern Economic Mobility (NSEM). She and Courtney Thomas went live to discuss economic mobility in the Upstate. NSEM is a group of Southern communities, formed in order to bring cities together and figure out how to move
Freedom from Violence, Special Events
by Nyomi Guzman on Nov 15, 2018
This Tuesday, November 20th, WREN will be observing Transgender Day of Remembrance. Gwendolyn Ann Smith founded Transgender Day of Remembrance in 1999, as a way to remember trans people whose lives were taken as a result of anti-trans violence in the last year around the world. Trans Day of Remembrance is recognized through a memorial.
Leadership and Civic Engagement, News
by Ashley Lidow on Nov 7, 2018
The results are in and we at WREN have been closely watching the midterms to see who will represent us at the SC Statehouse and beyond. Reports are showing that there was incredible voter turnout with the SC Elections Commission estimating more the 55.7% of voters casting ballots this cycle. That is the second highest
Now is the time to invest in South Carolina’s women, girls, and families. We need people like you joining the movement, speaking out, and leading the way toward positive change.