Blog
Economic Opportunity, Policy Updates
by Carson Cook on Mar 5, 2018
The benefits of breastfeeding to mom and infant are well documented and The American Academy of Pediatrics, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children’s Fund, and the US Surgeon General recommend that infants be breastfed exclusively for the first 6-months of life and breastmilk should remain a part of their diet at least up
Health and Education, Policy Updates
by Megan Plassmeyer on Mar 2, 2018
As we move further into the 2017-18 legislative session, we’ve seen advocates, testifiers, and lawmakers that remind us what true strength and dedication reside in our community, specifically in women who face daily threats to healthcare access and bodily autonomy. Their voices, and yours, have meant so much in the ongoing battle to preserve and
Health and Education, Policy Updates
by WREN Staff on Feb 27, 2018
For 20 years in a row, “personhood” legislation has been introduced in South Carolina that would interfere with a woman’s right to make personal, private decisions about her own body and her health. South Carolina is one of many states that have advanced so-called personhood legislation, legislation that seeks to establish full legal rights including
Advocate Stories, Leadership and Civic Engagement, Policy Updates, Special Events
by Sarah Nichols on Feb 9, 2018
Last month, advocates from across South Carolina met WREN at the Statehouse to lobby for the Pregnancy Accommodations Act, H.3865. This was the first of our Meet Me at the Statehouse series, which will be held on the fourth Wednesday of every month throughout legislative session. Each event will have a different issue or bill
Advocate Stories, Economic Opportunity, Freedom from Violence, Health and Education, Policy Updates
by Megan Plassmeyer on Feb 7, 2018
We get it, the Statehouse website probably hasn’t made your list of most frequent stops. Read below to see how you can better utilize this free resource, and become a #superadvocate this legislative session. You can also click here to access our Advocacy 101 Toolkit. Watch Live Video While the Statehouse website can’t stream movies
Health and Education, Policy Updates
by Megan Plassmeyer on Jan 11, 2018
This week the South Carolina House voted on whether our state’s budget would continue to exclude birth control coverage for dependents on the state health plan. Although a majority of House members voted in favor of contraceptive access (56-44), more support was needed in order to override this dangerous budget cut. We have another opportunity to
Advocate Stories, Policy Updates
by Ashley Lidow on Jan 2, 2018
I don’t know about y’all, but I am ready to make 2018 the year of positive change. Looking back at 2017 it felt as if we were taking hit after hit and I am ready to go on the offense! The best way I know how to start making positive change is to make my
Advocate Stories, Policy Updates
by Megan Plassmeyer on Dec 19, 2017
Ready to connect with lawmakers this legislative session but aren’t sure how to make that first connection? The WREN staff have opened their calendars to our advocates this year and are free to meet you at the Statehouse every fourth Wednesday of the month through April. During these meet-ups, we’ll help you connect in-person with
by Ashley Crary Lidow on Nov 13, 2017
On June 12 the Governor reviewed the state budget and vetoed[1] items that he disapproved of. Vetoing is a power that is given to a governor or president to reject a policy from the legislature. In the statement on why he was issuing those vetoes, he stated that South Carolina is on the edge of
Health and Education, Policy Updates
by Eme Crawford on Oct 27, 2017
Earlier this month, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released their strategic plan that included the definition of life as “beginning with conception.” This is a troubling inclusion for many reasons. We should each have the ability to answer the question of when life begins based on our own beliefs, values and faith
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.