Blog
by WREN Staff on Dec 16, 2020
COLUMBIA, SC – Today, Representative Beth Bernstein will prefile a bill to provide 12 weeks of paid parental leave to state employees. Bernstein’s bill will join Senator Darrell Jackson’s S.11 in explicitly providing paid family leave for state employees for the birth or adoption of a child. WREN applauds Senator Jackson and Representative Bernstein for
by WREN Staff on Dec 14, 2020
COLUMBIA, SC – The Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network applauds Representative Wendy Brawley for prefiling legislation that would bring pay equity to South Carolina. South Carolina has one of the largest gender and racial pay gaps in the nation and is one of only four states in the nation that does not have laws that explicitly
COVID-19, Economic Opportunity, Freedom from Violence, Health and Education, Leadership and Civic Engagement, News, Policy Updates
Dec 11, 2020
WREN’s policy agenda framework is rooted in the principles of fairness, equity, and inclusiveness, so that all women, girls, and gender expansive** people —of every race, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, family status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression – can prosper and thrive. It reflects the importance of policy that serves
Leadership and Civic Engagement, News, Policy Updates
by WREN Staff on Dec 8, 2020
It’s almost that time again, folks! The South Carolina General Assembly’s first year of the 124th Legislative Session will begin on January 12, 2021! Before we can talk about January, we need to get through the legislative prefile dates. Prefiling is the introduction and referral to a committee of Bills prior to a legislative session.
COVID-19, Economic Opportunity, Health and Education, Policy Updates
by WREN Staff on Nov 20, 2020
Millions of people across the country are struggling to get by, including kids who aren’t getting enough to eat because their parents don’t have enough money for groceries and families that are behind on rent and could lose their homes. Programs intended to aid Americans struggling financially due to the ongoing coronavirus will expire at
by WREN Staff on Nov 11, 2020
In June WREN sent a message of solidarity with Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities in this country who bear the brunt of state-sanctioned violence handed down through generations of systemic racism and anti-Blackness. In this message, we made a promise to our network to become an actively anti-racist organization. We acknowledge that releasing a statement
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 Ann Warner on May 12, 2020
As the South Carolina General Assembly reconvenes, our CEO, Ann Warner, penned a letter to each member. In the letter (below) Warner encourages each legislator to consider the lives and livelihoods of women as our economic recovery. In her letter, she emphasizes the need for a state-level response to the needs presented in this
by Ali Titus, ACLU Policy and Communications Director on May 12, 2020
Criminal Justice and Reproductive Health Advocates Celebrate Expanded Protections for Parents and Families FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 12, 2020 CONTACT: Ali Titus, ACLU of South Carolina, atitus @aclusc.org, 803-318-2500 The South Carolina House of Representatives passed legislation today that will limit the types of restraints used on pregnant people who are incarcerated and virtually abolish
by WREN Staff on May 1, 2020
The WREN team is committed to serving our network by continuing to educate and advocate for the health, economic well-being, and rights of women, girls, and their families. Our COVID-19 policy priorities will center women and caregivers by focusing on protections for front line workers, addressing women’s economic devastation, paid leave, and reproductive freedom. The
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.