Women's Rights and Empowerment Network - WREN

Join WREN today so we can champion affordable childcare in SC together!

Your donation today will help us advocate for policies that put the needs of children and families first. Head to https://www.scwren.org/donate/

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month we are highlighting trailblazing Latina Sonia Sotomayor.🌹

In 2009, Sonia Sotomayor broke boundaries by becoming the first Latina and third woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court. Born in NYC to Puerto Rican parents, she grew up in a Bronx public housing project. She received degrees from Princeton and Yale. As a Supreme Court Justice, she has ruled to uphold the Affordable Care Act and legalize same-sex marriage.

"...you cannot value dreams on the odds of their coming true. The real value is in the stirring within us the will to aspire." —Justice Sonia Sotomayor

Today, we recognize International Equal Pay Day and the first-ever Disabled Women's Equal Pay Day!

The importance of today stems from the persistent gender wage gap, where women often earn less than men, with women of color facing even larger pay disparities. We want to raise awareness and promote ways to achieve pay equity, thus reducing poverty and improving economic stability for women and their communities.

Today is National Voter Registration Day.
Deadlines are quickly approaching and you don’t want to miss them.

🙂 In-person registration deadline: Friday, October 4, 2024

💻 Online registration deadline: Sunday, October 6, 2024

📬 Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked by Monday, October 7, 2024

If you're unsure about your registration status, it's a great day to check. https://scvotes.gov/voters/

On this day in 1994, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was signed into law, marking a crucial step in the fight to end gender-based violence. From funding life-saving programs to strengthening legal protections, VAWA has been vital in supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

At WREN, we continue to advocate for a world where women and girls are free from violence. Let’s honor this legacy by pushing for a future where everyone is safe and supported.

You can read more about the VAWA here:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/09/13/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-celebrates-the-twenty-ninth-anniversary-of-the-violence-against-women-act/

WREN celebrates a crucial victory for reproductive justice. It aligns with our steadfast belief that pregnancy outcomes should be met with compassion and medical care, not criminalization.

It's Su***de Prevention Week, and it's important to address the impact of anti-LGBTQ+ school policies.

Hard Reminder: Schools should be a safe space for EVERY student. However, The Trevor Project’s latest study reveals the harsh reality for LGBTQ+ youth. of recent anxiety—up to 78%.

No young person should face these challenges. We must advocate for schools that protect, uplift, and affirm all identities. Read the study here: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/research-briefs/anti-lgbtq-school-policies-and-lgbtq-young-people/

Save the date for the South Carolina Voting Rights Convening!
Date: Saturday, October 5th
Location: University of South Carolina, Columbia

Advocates from all over the state are welcome to participate in an event to raise awareness, provide education, and encourage activism on voting rights in South Carolina.

Agenda Highlights:
- Workshops on voter suppression, advocacy, grassroots mobilization, and more
- Voter Resource Fair offering tools and resources
- Knowledgeable speakers and networking opportunities

Registration deadline: September 23rd(Register for in-person or virtual attendance)
The link to sign up is here: https://forms.gle/giHAw2FAqGMvH1du9

Reminder: Attend the Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children's Fall hearings to advocate for the well-being of South Carolina's children!

Sign up to testify on topics like accessible childcare and paid leave at one of their upcoming sessions:
📅September 10th: Conway, Horry Georgetown Tech, 5 to 7 p.m.
📅September 17th: Columbia, SC State House, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. & 5 to 7 p.m.
📅September 24th: Spartanburg, USC Upstate, 5 to 7 p.m.
📅October 3rd: North Charleston, Charleston County Council Chambers, 5 to 7 p.m.

Make sure your voice is heard! Sign up at [email protected] and help create positive change for our state's children.

We know when people are supported in their true selves, they thrive.

It’s ***dePreventionWeek, and we want to remind you that everyone deserves healthcare that supports their well-being, not just survival.

Access to gender-affirming care reduces the risk of su***de, especially for transgender and nonbinary individuals. WREN is committed to advocating for inclusive healthcare policies supporting all communities. Gender Affirming Care is su***de prevention.
***dePreventionWeek

The Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children is hosting fall hearings throughout the state and is looking for your input on issues that impact South Carolina's children, such as accessible childcare and paid leave.

If you are unable to attend the hearings in person, you can still support children by submitting your testimony via email to [email protected] by October 4th. Your input is valuable!

💥FREE EVENT ALERT💥
Be The Ones and SOLVE are teaming up to host the South Carolina Young Voters Summit on September 14th in Charleston. The nonpartisan event will bring passionate young leaders together to share ideas, sharpen skills, and have fun before the November election.

To learn more & sign up: www.betheones.org/summit

💜 The event is intentionally curated for South Carolinians 18-30 years old.

💛 If travel to Charleston is a barrier, they’re offering a limited number of gas reimbursement cards to those who want to attend & make the drive to CHS.

Did you know South Carolina ranks 8th in the nation for maternal mortality?

At WREN, we’re dedicated to changing that by advocating for better healthcare access, increased support for pregnant and postpartum people, and policies prioritizing everyone’s well-being.

We can create a more equitable South Carolina—let’s make it happen together.

*Data from the South Carolina Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Review Committee

“A law that takes away healthcare from people, that strips away the ability of parents to make medical decisions for their children, that criminalizes doctors who follow the established standards of care isn’t just mean-spirited and harmful – it’s also unconstitutional,” said Jace Woodrum, Executive Director of the ACLU of South Carolina. “Transgender South Carolinians should be able to get the medical care they need without politicians coming into their doctors’ offices with them. That’s why we’re challenging this dangerous law.”

Trans People & Families File Lawsuit Against South Carolina’s Gender-Affirming Care Ban CHARLESTON, S.C. – Transgender South Carolinians and their families are suing the state of South Carolina to block enforcement of a ban on gender-affirming healthcare. They are represented by attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of South Carolina, and Selendy Gay.House Bill 4624...

For every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men working full time, year-round in 2022, NHPI women, working full time, year-round only earned 66 cents.

The biggest wage gaps experienced by NHPI women are hidden in data that lumps Asian American (AA) Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander people together.

Let's use our voices to advocate for the youth in our state!

Join advocates across the state to testify at the Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children fall hearings. Advocate on topics that impact our state's children's well-being, such as accessible childcare and paid leave.

Sign up to speak at one of our hearings:
• Sept 10th: Conway, Horry Georgetown Tech, 5 to 7 p.m.
• Sept 17th: Columbia, SC State House, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. & 5 to 7 p.m.
• Sept 24th: Spartanburg, USC Upstate, 5 to 7 p.m.
• Oct 3rd: North Charleston, Charleston County Council Chambers, 5 to 7 p.m.

To speak at a hearing, email [email protected]. Can't attend? Submit written testimony by Oct 4th. Hearings will be live-streamed on the Statehouse website. Share and spread the word!

As we all know too well, this past year has been challenging for our community as we’ve seen an increase in anti-LGBT legislation here in South Carolina. Over the past few years, we’ve seen attacks on our trans siblings, misinformation about the drag community and increases in bans on books that present ideas that are more diverse.

In an effort to educate our community, and reinforce the importance of using your voice, even when it feels hard and unheard, the Harriet Hancock LGBT Center is partnering with SC United for Justice & Equality coalition to host a virtual event with the aim to inform South Carolinians on the importance of registering to vote as well as sharing other important resources.

📅 Thursday, September 5th
🕰️ 6 to 8 PM
💻 Virtual

While this event is free, registration is required to obtain virtual video links to join the meeting. A recording will be provided for those who registered, but are unable to attend. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!

🌈 RSVP today: https://www.southcarolinaunited.org/updates/voterregevent

National Breastfeeding Month is almost over. To kick off Black Breastfeeding Week and The Big Latch. BirthMatters invites you to join our live conversation with two amazing moms sharing their breastfeeding experiences.

See you next Tuesday at 4:30 PM

She represents hope. She represents integrity. She is welcoming to all.

The form starts with the foundation - or the first column, a circle. The pillar of strength.

The layering of the lives in meaning and the contributions of these women to Columbia, create the form.

The sculpture - a form made up of many parts. The parts of the female that are invaluable in every community. This fabric holds us all together: family, vision, courage, strength, integrity, honor, hope, resilience, intelligence, compassion, steadfastness, determination, and drive.

The faceless, nameless nature of this art represents the idea that it takes all kinds of women, all shapes, all sizes, and beliefs to build a community.

Learn more about the Architecture of Strength at columbiacityofwomen.com, a project by HC and Women's Rights and Empowerment Network - WREN.

On this Women's Equality Day, we celebrate the changemakers who fought for the right to vote and the ongoing struggle for gender justice.

Ida B. Wells' words remind us that exposing injustice is key to achieving equality for all. Let’s keep pushing forward.

Let’s take some time today to celebrate a woman who fearlessly fought for LGBTQ+ rights and the liberation of marginalized communities - Marsha P. Johnson. Her strength inspires us to ensure that everyone has the power to make decisions about their own bodies, free from discrimination and oppression."

Let's celebrate her birthday today! Curious to learn more about her? Check out all the details here: https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/marsha-p-johnson

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, almost 80% of South Carolina families can't afford infant care. Affordable childcare is crucial for the well-being of families.

We must advocate for accessible and affordable childcare to ensure every child and family thrives.

Nobody should be forced to carry out pregnancy or forced into childbirth.

Why every single person of reproductive age with a uterus is at risk Strict abortion bans in 22 states are causing doctors to refuse care to women who need it, resulting in near-death experiences and permanent bodily harm. Abortion is a medical procedure that women should be entitled to get for any reason. Nobody should be forced to carry out pregnancy or forced into...