Category: Health and Education
COVID-19, Economic Opportunity, Health and Education, News
by WREN Staff on Aug 9, 2021
Columbia, SC- Today, Governor Henry McMaster held a press conference on COVID-19 and school reopening. Despite overwhelming evidence that masks are the most effective tool we have to curtail the surge in Covid infections among children, the Governor has refused to take decisive action. Unfortunately, his wishful thinking about “personal responsibility” will hurt children and
Economic Opportunity, Health and Education
by WREN Staff on Jul 15, 2021
In a panel presentation, Dr. Amanda McDougald Scott presented findings from her research about the everyday lives of child care workers. The panel featured child care workers from around the state including Dellarekus Kelly “Mr.D” (he/his), Maria Johnson (she/her), Lynn Pollard (She/her), Alison Lister (she/her), Felicia O’Neal (she/her), Sarita Smith (she/her), Meredith Burton (she/her). Each
Health and Education, Policy Updates
by WREN Staff on Jun 22, 2021
As prepared for Senate Medical Affairs Subcommittee hearing on June 21, 2021. Thank you, Chairman Martin, and members of the subcommittee, for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Ann Warner and I am the CEO of the Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network (WREN). WREN is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization with a mission to build a
Health and Education, Policy Updates
by WREN Staff on Jun 15, 2021
The Senate Medical Affairs subcommittee will hold a hearing on Monday, June 21 at 9:30 am on S.811, a bill to allow for discrimination in healthcare. S. 811, the so-called “Medical Ethics and Diversity Act,” would allow health care professionals to discriminate against their patients and refuse to provide them care. This dangerous and far-reaching
Freedom from Violence, Health and Education, News, Policy Updates
by WREN Staff on May 13, 2021
In a recent vote, the Columbia City Council unanimously approved an ordinance that would ban conversion therapy within city limits. The ordinance now moves on to a second reading scheduled for May 18, 2021. Before the vote, we ask that you send the City Council members a message in support of the LGBTQ+ community and
Advocate Stories, Economic Opportunity, Health and Education
by Amanda M. McDougald Scott, MS, PhD on May 3, 2021
Child care professionals are one of the most historically under-appreciated sectors of the workforce and they need us to hear and take action on their needs. Among the contributing factors to why the essential work of caregiving is not valued as an essential part of infrastructure is the fact that this work is historically done
Health and Education, Partner
by Betsy La Force, Coastal Conservation League on Apr 22, 2021
This testimony was provided to WREN by Betsy La Force of the Coastal Conservation League. Betsy presented this testimony in front of the House Subcommittee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs on April 22nd, 2021. “Thank you, Mr Chairman and members of the subcommittee, for the opportunity to speak today. I’m Betsy La Force
Freedom from Violence, Health and Education, News
by WREN Staff on Apr 16, 2021
An increase in sexual and intimate partner violence reveals a systemic issue in reporting violence and the accessibility of care for transgender people and survivors with disabilities. COLUMBIA, SC– South Carolina consistently ranks as one of the most dangerous states for women. A new report from Able SC, SCCADVASA (the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual
Freedom from Violence, Health and Education, News, Policy Updates
by WREN Staff on Apr 8, 2021
Testimony presented to the House Judiciary Special Laws Subcommittee on April 8, 2021. Thank you, Chairman McCravy, and members of the subcommittee, for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Ashley Lidow, I use she/her pronouns, and I am the Director of Policy and Government Relations for the Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network (WREN),
Economic Opportunity, Health and Education, News
by Chloe Holowczenko, WREN Policy and Programs Assistant on Mar 23, 2021
When creating policies designed to address pandemic relief, women, especially women of color, need to be prioritized. Women are disproportionally impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and women of color have been hit the hardest. More than 2.3 million women have dropped out of the labor force since February 2020. If women continue to remain out of the