Blog
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 Rep. Peter McCoy, chair of the House Judiciary
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
by Sarah Nichols on Oct 5, 2018
If you’ve been tuning into the Kavanaugh hearings in some form or fashion, you are probably feeling discouraged after watching Dr. Ford being discredited after sharing intensely intimate and gut-wrenching testimony. (You can read our full statement on the hearings here.) Thank you to all of our advocates who have spoken out, called your senators,
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.