Blog
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
Advocate Stories, Policy Updates
by Ann Warner, CEO on Sep 12, 2019
On Sept 10th, the 6-week abortion ban was heard by the Senate Medical Affairs subcommittee and served as the final opportunity for the public to provide verbal testimony. While it’s frustrating to spend our precious time discussing a blatantly unconstitutional and reckless bill that was fast-tracked outside of regular legislative session, it was also incredibly
Advocate Stories, Policy Updates
by Ann Warner on Sep 9, 2019
The Medical Affairs Committee has limited testimony for the Sept. 10th hearing on H.3020 so the speaker slots have been filled. That being said we need AS MANY written testimonies as possible to be used in committee and floor debates. Senators have asked for stories from all 46 Senate districts. You can submit testimony directly
by Courtney Thomas on Aug 21, 2019
In an unprecedented move, the South Carolina Senate is moving forward with H. 3020 outside of regular session. After passing through the house, the 6 Week Abortion Ban is now in the Senate Medical Affairs Subcommittee. September 10, 2019 is our last opportunity to go on record in opposition to the bill, so we
Economic Opportunity, Health and Education, Policy Updates
by WREN Staff on Jun 4, 2019
The legislature adjourned the 1st regular session of the 123rd South Carolina General Assembly in May. While many of the state’s priorities for the year are left unfinished, WREN made progress in advancing issues affecting women, girls, and families, and successfully stopped a 6-week abortion ban for this year. The two-year session of the SC
Health and Education, Policy Updates
by Ann Warner on May 18, 2019
We have reached a new stage in the battle over abortion rights in America, and South Carolina is on the frontlines. Year after year the South Carolina General Assembly plays political games with women’s lives by introducing legislation to restrict access to abortion care. This year, however, South Carolina lawmakers have gone to unprecedented lengths.
Leadership and Civic Engagement, Policy Updates
by Ashley Lidow on May 13, 2019
As the 2019 session comes to a close you may find me frolicking around Columbia singing songs about being free and enjoying the summer, but do not let that fool you; we at WREN do not stop working when the legislature adjourns. In fact, the off session is a great time to organize and make
Freedom from Violence, Health and Education, Policy Updates
by Ashley Lidow on Apr 12, 2019
South Carolina runs on 2 year legislative cycles and we are quickly approaching the end of the first legislative year. Many bills have yet to be heard and will have to wait to be discussed in January 2020 but we have had some great progress on bills that would support pregnant and breastfeeding women. You
Health and Education, Policy Updates
by Ann Warner on Apr 2, 2019
Today I ask Constitutional Laws Subcommittee members to vote in opposition to H.3020, which would ban abortion as early as 6 weeks, regardless of a woman’s needs or circumstances. The women of our state have the intellectual and moral capabilities to make the right decisions about pregnancy and parenting. Government interference in these deeply personal
Advocate Stories, Policy Updates
by Megan Plassmeyer on Feb 25, 2019
We’re running out of time to get H.3615, the Act to Establish Pay Equity, heard by members of the General and Family Laws subcommittee of House Judiciary. Help us mobilize this bill by writing a letter today! Here are letter templates you utilize. First, join us in asking your legislator to schedule a hearing for H.3615,
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.