Newsletter|April 2021
by WREN Staff on Apr 7, 2021
The text below appeared in the April 2021 newsletter. To receive this in your inbox, join the network.
Legislative Crossover
Bills in the House and Senate face a crossover deadline of April 10. This means they must pass 3rd reading in their original body to be considered by the other body this legislative year; otherwise, they will have to wait until January 2022. We need everyone to take action on these policies to ensure they are passed this year.
- Ask your S.C. House Member to vote YES on H.3560, to support paid family leave for state employees.
- Ask your State Senator to vote YES on S.628, to support of contraceptive access in SC.
- Ask your State Senator to vote YES on S.533 and reach out to the DDSN commissioners to urge them to END subminimum wage in South Carolina.
- Ask your State Senator to vote YES on S.436, to support Community Development (CD) Tax Credits and learn more about this policy on our website.
- Ask your State Senator to vote YES on H.3319, to end lunch shaming in South Carolina.
If you are interested in learning more about the legislative process, WREN offers Advocacy 101 to help community members understand the legislature. Email us at info@scwren.org to schedule a training session (and it’s free, y’all).
5th Anniversary Merch Design Contest
To commemorate our 5th anniversary, WREN’s 5th Anniversary Merch Design Contest invites design submissions that creatively interpret our mission for a chance to be featured in a limited-edition collection of merchandise.
Midlands Gives
Midlands Gives is right around the corner, but for those of you who just can’t wait until May 4th to show your support, we have great news! Early giving is officially open for Midlands Gives! Visit our Midlands Gives page today to make your donation, and while you’re there, double your impact by making a Champion Page to encourage your family and friends to support WREN and spread the word.
Learn With Us
What Everyone Needs to Know About Transgender People
Our partners at the Campaign for Southern Equality recently hosted a training for the network! If you weren’t able to watch live, we have a recording available on YouTube. Listen as Wynston and Ivy teach us what everyone needs to know about transgender people.
Equal Pay in South Carolina
What is the status of Pay Equity law in South Carolina? Sheila Willis (Fisher Phillips) and Ann Warner (WREN CEO) answered this question and many others from our network in a Facebook live interview.
New From the WREN Blog
Ask WREN: What is the American Rescue Plan?
Chloe Holowczenko, WREN’s Policy and Programs Assistant, writes: “The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 addresses some of the key policies that women and their families need to come out of the pandemic stronger.” (Read more)
Create Opportunity Columbia
Have you heard that “you need a college degree to get a job in the technology field?” Do you think you cannot land a high-paying job unless you already know someone who works there? Or have you been told that “technology jobs aren’t for people like you?”
Create Opportunity Columbia is an initiative that identifies, trains, and places individuals from unexpected places into technology careers. Along with their partners, Catalyte and Midlands Technical College, they find the people that others overlook. They provide a software development training program through Midlands Technical College, at no cost to participants, to teach computer programming skills.
Create Opportunity is recruiting now for participants in the Midlands Technical College led training program. This 6 month intensive program is followed by a 2 year paid entry level role with a local employer.
Spots are limited – take the screening now!
Interested or have further questions? Register here for an upcoming information session offered every Monday at 12pm ET and every Wednesday at 6pm ET.
Are you interested in getting involved with WREN?
Contact Kayla Mallett, our Network Engagement Manager at kmallett@scwren.org
That’s all for this month’s newsletter!