Upstate Summit Destination Guide
by WREN Staff on Oct 22, 2018
We are less than a month out from our inaugural Upstate Summit on women’s economic empowerment, and there’s a lot to be excited about. For the first time, movers and shakers in the Upstate will be convening with the WREN nest to discuss, strategize and workshop what an equitable future would look like for the women and girls in the region.
We want you to be just as excited as we are (if you’re not already), so our staff has contributed a first-look at the workshops and panels that we are most excited about—PLUS other things to check out while you’re in the Upstate.
And once we’ve gotten you all jazzed up, claim your tickets today! They’re going fast, and you know you won’t want to miss out on this event.
Courtney Thomas | Upstate Liaison
“I’m most excited to hear from our keynote, Dr. Chandra Childers. Chandra is a Senior Research Scientist at the Institute for Women’s Policy Research in Washington, D.C. Her expertise is in how economic inequality can be heightened by the intersections of race, gender and class. In the Status of Black Women Report, Childers and other researchers from IWPR provide data that can inform policy, but also raise awareness of the ways Black women are overlooked by the research community. I especially look forward to the insights she will share in light of the Midterm elections.”
Ann Warner | CEO
“While it is hard to narrow it down, I am most excited about the panel that I get to moderate on women’s economic empowerment. WREN has developed a broad framework for advancing women’s economic empowerment and mobility in our state, and Minor Shaw, Susan Shi, Faith Adedokun, Nichelle Harrison, and Betsy Neely Sikma are going to ground us in the practical realities and opportunities that we have to make progress here and now in the Upstate region of South Carolina. They are going to bring diverse insights and experiences to the questions of not only ‘why,’ but also ‘how’ we do this.”
Megan Plassmeyer | Community Engagement Coordinator
“I’m most excited for the Storytelling Workshop, facilitated by Erin Collins and Nicole McAden at Alchemy Comedy. There’s nothing more powerful than the story we each possess, and sometimes it’s hard to determine the best way to deliver that message and experience of our lived reality. As an eager audience member, I hope to be able to pass along storytelling tips to the community members I serve.
I’d also like to recommend guests to visit M.Judson Booksellers & Chocolate Moose Bakery in downtown Greenville. Nothing starts or ends a trip better than a feminist read and a piece of cake.”
Eme Crawford | Director of Communications and Learning
“With the freshness of the Kavanaugh confirmation hearing and competitive campaigns across the country, I’m most excited about the midterm elections and for the panel discussion on what they mean for women. There’s a lot of energy around turning out the vote and I hear women channeling their frustration from the Kavanaugh hearing into voter participation work, but I also know that changing belief and power structures is a long process. No matter what happens in the midterms, I hope we keep focused and stay determined to make the change in the world we seek!”
Sarah Nichols | Communications and Learning Intern
“Two things: I’m really excited that our accessibility fund is being kicked off with the Upstate Summit. Seeing new faces at our events is always exciting, and removing the financial barriers preventing some folks from coming is a step in the right direction.
I’m also excited about the yoga energizer happening in the middle of the day from Katy Corbin of Yogalicious. I’m an amateur yogi myself and I think this will be a great way to keep the energy flowing in our jam-packed day!”
Ashley Lidow | Associate Director of Policy and Government Relations
“I am really excited to participate in the Storytelling Workshop, facilitated by Erin Collins and Nicole McAden, Alchemy Comedy. Storytelling is a large component to effective advocacy and since I represent WREN’s policy priorities at the Statehouse I am always looking for new ways to translate information to policymakers so they connect with the issues.”