February 2026 Newsletter
Making Meaningful Moves
The legislative session is moving quickly. Bills impacting economic security and reproductive freedom are advancing through committees. Amendments are being filed, decisions are being shaped in real time, and the outcomes will directly affect women and girls across South Carolina.
Every day, WREN’s policy team is at the State House tracking legislation, meeting with lawmakers, and ensuring that gender equity remains part of the conversation. But advocacy doesn’t stop inside those walls. Real change happens when our community shows up.
Today is Reproductive Advocacy Day at the State House, and we hope to see you there.
From 9:00AM – 1:30PM, the South Carolina Healthy Families Coalition is hosting a hands-on advocacy training to equip you for meaningful, values-driven conversations with lawmakers.
Participants will meet directly with legislators to share why reproductive freedom matters to our families and communities. We’ll close the day united at a press conference to amplify our collective voice.
If you’re able, join us. Your presence matters. Your voice matters. And today, it makes a difference.
We also want to take a moment to celebrate growth. We’re proud to welcome six new members to WREN’s Board of Directors. These leaders bring expertise, lived experience, and deep commitment to strengthening our work across the state. Please join us in welcoming:
- Jessica Berry, Nonprofit Leader and Educational Consultant
- Caroline Bourscheid, Project Manager and Community Advocate
- Beth Cook, Board-certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist
- Lauren Jackson, AP Biology Educator
- Aliyah Scott, Public Information Officer
- David Simmons, Associate Professor of Anthropology & Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior
The stakes are clear, and so is our collective power.
Policy Update from Chief Strategy Officer Ashley Lidow
With the South Carolina Legislative Session in full swing, we are closely tracking bills that impact economic security, reproductive freedom, health access, and the safety and dignity of women and girls across our state.
Our policy priorities reflect what we know to be true: when women and girls thrive, South Carolina thrives.
To explore our full legislative agenda and see where key bills stand, visit our priorities page. And if you’re ready to take action, our Advocacy Toolkit makes it easy to contact lawmakers, share your story, and raise your voice at this critical moment.
Your engagement matters and together, we can shape what happens next.
Events Recap from Senior Partnership & Engagement Associate Aisha Jones
February has been full of meaningful movement. We’ve continued our Advocacy 101 trainings with partners across the state, equipping advocates with the tools and confidence to effectively engage with lawmakers. These trainings create space for people to understand how policy works and how their lived experiences directly impact change.
We’re also hosting an upcoming webinar on February 27, focused on the importance of Black women’s stories in shaping movements and policy. Beth Ruffin, CEO of The Everyday Inclusionist, will join us as a guest speaker to explore how storytelling and cultural memory influence the fight for reproductive freedom and economic justice.
At the same time, we are working behind the scenes to coordinate Status of Women & Girls events across the state. We’re reconnecting with partners and are committed to expanding our outreach to new regions.
Community engagement is not just about showing up, it’s about building lasting relationships that strengthen advocacy long-term.
Donor Relations Note from our CEO Dr. Amalia Luxardo
As this legislative session intensifies, I am constantly reminded that sustained advocacy requires sustained support.
Your generosity allows WREN to respond quickly when bills move, expand trainings into new communities, and remain present at the State House, in communities, and in partnership spaces across South Carolina.
And as we continue strengthening our work, we’re also preparing for something exciting behind the scenes that will take WREN to the next level.
If you’re looking for a way to deepen your commitment, consider becoming a monthly donor. Recurring support allows us to invest deeply in protecting rights and expanding opportunity for women and girls across our state.
| Together, we are building a more just South Carolina. |
In community,
Dr. Amalia Luxardo, CEO
Women’s Rights & Empowerment Network