Advocate Stories, Freedom from Violence
by Nancy Jones on Oct 16, 2018
Ashley Thomas is the founder of an organization called The Hive Community Circle, a non-profit, faith-based organization that provides advocacy, support, and prevention and education services centered around sexual assault and intimate partner violence. The Hive works with the underserved populations of women and girls in and around Columbia, SC, mostly African American females, fulfilling
Economic Opportunity
by Nancy Jones on Oct 15, 2018
On September 7, 2018 WREN hosted one of its #FirstFinancialFridays, talking about saving for retirement with Eileen Stevens of Abacus Planning Group. The discussion answered many common questions about IRAs and 401ks and the best way to ensure that you will be able to live comfortably without working for the rest of your life. Watch
Economic Opportunity, Special Events
by Eme Crawford on Oct 11, 2018
“If we continue on the current path, women will not receive equal pay to men until 2059… [A]nd if the rate of progress of electing women to statewide office continues at the same pace as it has since 1975, it will be 200 years before we reach gender parity in South Carolina. So what do
Advocate Stories
by Megan Plassmeyer on Oct 10, 2018
From projects like Seen and Heard: Women and Girls in the Midlands, we recognize that the voices of girls, and specifically girls of color, often go unheard in our state. And it’s not because our girls aren’t talking, it’s because we aren’t listening. We are constantly battling a myth that our young people “don’t know what
Advocate Stories, Uncategorized
by WREN Staff on Oct 10, 2018
Our nest is getting bigger! Meet WREN’s newest staff member and Policy Assistant, Damilola Ajisegiri. 1. Where are you from? I was born in Nigeria but grew up in Snellville, GA. I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia in Psychology & a minor in Women Studies. I then moved to South Carolina
Policy Updates
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,
Policy Updates
by Ann Warner on Sep 28, 2018
Statement from Ann Warner, CEO, WREN This week we witnessed the courage of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford as she shared her experience of sexual assault before the Senate Judiciary Committee. As we watched her, we carry our histories with us: we remember the strength of Professor Anita Hill years ago when she came forward with her story of
Economic Opportunity, Special Events
by Courtney Thomas on Sep 27, 2018
Hey, there. As the Upstate Women’s Economic Empowerment Summit approaches, I have a favor to ask of you. Yes, you, dear reader. When you join us at Furman on November 9th, you’ll get the opportunity to be an active voice and leader in group conversations and movement-building exercises. Together, we’ll be able to think through new
Advocate Stories, Special Events
by Megan Plassmeyer on Sep 25, 2018
Dr. Christine Blasey Ford has bravely come forward and shared her story about her sexual assault at the hands of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Even though Dr. Blasey Ford has repeatedly stated her desire to testify and bravely share her story, Senate Republicans are doing everything they can to shame, bully, and force her
Leadership and Civic Engagement
by Sarah Nichols on Sep 20, 2018
As many of you know, WREN has been streaming Facebook Live content every Friday since the start of July. We use these #FacebookLiveFridays (and sometimes additional days, too) to highlight the great work our partners are doing and discuss relevant issues facing the women and girls of South Carolina. Doing our Facebook live videos has