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News, Policy Updates, Research
Jun 15, 2020
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 are likely to vote in the 2020 election. The purpose of this survey was to understand the lives, issues, and policy
by WREN Staff on Jun 2, 2020
WREN joins with people across this state and country who demand justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless other victims of state-sanctioned terror and racism. For far too long, too many have denied or made excuses for the harm that White supremacy and police brutality have caused to Black and Brown people,
by Kate Mayer on May 5, 2020
Whew, WHAT. A. DAY. Midlands Gives 2020 has been one for the books—we were bestowed the magical unicorn known as a “Cheerful Giver” matching gift, donor outreach nearly screeched to a halt when our database crashed, and we pulled it all together while sitting at our makeshift desks working from home. And thanks to
by WREN Staff on Apr 29, 2020
Midlands Gives is just around the corner! Midlands Gives brings the region together as one community, raising money and awareness for local nonprofits in 11 Midlands counties. In addition to being a year-round resource for donors across the Midlands, the initiative amplifies donations during an 18-hour online giving challenge the first Tuesday of May. Since
by WREN Staff on Mar 31, 2020
SCETV Highlights Columbia City of Women City of Women is a project by Historic Columbia and the Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network. This project connects Columbians to the legacies of our all-too-often undersung women leaders, whose contributions are woven into the fabric of this city. In celebration of Women’s History Month, SCETV featured Columbia City
by Ann Warner on Mar 20, 2020
We are #WRENthistogether! WREN launched in 2016 with a mission to advance the health, economic well-being, and rights of the women, girls, and families of South Carolina. With you, we have expanded access to healthcare; we have increased protections for parents in the workplace; we have fought for pay equity and expanded access to paid leave;
by WREN Staff on Mar 12, 2020
Priority Legislation: Paid leave (S. 997 & H. 5137) These bills would provide state employees with 12 weeks of paid family leave. Paid leave has many public health benefits, including decreased infant mortality and improved physical and mental health of new parents. This policy will also improve employee retention, productivity, and morale. A recent
City of Women, Leadership and Civic Engagement, News
by Dr. Courtney Tollison on Mar 9, 2020
On November 2nd of 1920, white women in Greenville went to the polls for the first time. After an approximately 80-year battle to gain the right to vote, one can only imagine the excitement and optimism that filled the air of polling stations across the nation. However, on this momentous occasion, the front page of the Greenville News simply read, “Women’s Votes to Make Counters’ Task Greater.” One
Freedom from Violence, Health and Education, News
by Ali Titus, ACLU Policy and Communications Director on Mar 5, 2020
Criminal Justice and Reproductive Health Advocates Join Forces in Support of Passage FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 5, 2020 By a unanimous vote of 42-0, South Carolina Senators advanced legislation yesterday that seeks to limit the types of restraints used on pregnant people who are incarcerated and virtually abolish the practice of shackling people during labor, childbirth, and postpartum recovery. The legislation will return to the
Health and Education, Leadership and Civic Engagement, News
by Dr. Kari Claudia Allen on Feb 28, 2020
On Thursday, February 27, 2020 the House Subcommittee on Social Services, Mental Health, and Children’s Affairs met to hear testimony on H. 4712 (the South Carolina Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act). Dr. Kari-Claudia Allen testified and encouraged legislators to vote in favor of the bill. Dr. Allen’s testimony begins at 3:20 in this video,
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.