Women's Rights and Empowerment Network | WREN | Celebrating Women's History Month

In honor of Women’s History Month, I’m bringing light to The Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network (WREN). WREN is a South Carolina non-profit that is 40,000 members strong, advocating and fighting for the advancement of women’s rights, health, and economic well-being.

Recently I was able to speak with WREN CEO, Ann Warner, about her journey and discussed WREN’s role in creating a better South Carolina for women from all walks of life.

“My academics and volunteering and career have always been with non-profits focusing on women’s rights and health,” Ann said. “Women are powerful — despite massive barriers, I’ve seen how powerful, resilient, resourceful women are.”

She continued, “I’ve always been drawn to women’s perspectives — because they’re not always the dominate perspective in society, and that’s what makes them more interesting. Why are most of the people we learn about in school not women? My interest in politics and social change was activated in junior high and my sense of injustice was triggered early on. I really believe that we will never be healthy, free, or a prosperous society if women and men aren’t on equal footing.”

Prior to WREN, she dedicated her time straight out of college with organizations fighting for women’s rights around the world. Some of her work includes conducting research on violence against women in Liberia, acting as co-chair of Girls Not Brides, an organization fighting to end child marriage, and working alongside CARE USA, an organization that builds support for humanitarian relief and development programs around the world.

With that incredibly impressive resume — Ann took her passion of creating a better world to South Carolina five years ago, and she was recruited to launch and build WREN from the ground up.

“WREN is a movement for gender justice in SC that is focused on calling attention to the multifaceted chronic issues related to violence against women. The pay gap, lack of healthcare, and lack of representation in policy making. When you can make those improvements, the community as a whole grows when you make it better for women.”

Ann went on to say “We’ve been warmly received, and have had the opportunity to pull people in who see the gender inequities that are holding us back in South Carolina. It’s hard to build an organization that wants to shake things up in a state like South Carolina with power structures that have been in place for generations.”

This year WREN has faced setbacks with bills such as S.1. “It’s hard to fight back against bills like that when it has national organizations that are trying to politically polarize people.”

“It’s hard… but I’m optimistic.”

WREN has worked in Greenville alongside other non-profits like Safe Harbor, Junior League, and Community Works. They’ve also worked with universities including Clemson, Furman, Converse, Wofford, and USC Upstate.

Ann expressed their mission is bigger than just one person or organization — they need more organizations across the state to be collaborating and strategizing for the future we want. They need more resources and funding to work with voting rights on multiple issues as a lot of these efforts are under resourced. “That’s why WREN is a network,” she said. “It’s about the 40k and growing members — the potential is all there in the people. We need more connectivity and investments into bringing those people together and unlocking the power that they all hold.”

The success of WREN’s work relies on people taking action and using their voice. Ann shared with me several bite-sized ways to take action if you’re unable to give financially. For example, following them on social media and interacting with their content can be a huge step in furthering their mission. Additionally, sending a phone call, text, or email to your representatives can go a long way. “Everybody has influence within their own circles,” Ann said. “For anyone who cares about gender justice and women’s rights, we will train them with our advocacy training and give them the resources and opportunities necessary to be that kind of leader.”

There are active WREN members in Greenville who you’ll be able to come alongside to join the fight including art installations, walkouts, protests, and many other non-traditional ways of organizing. If you’d like to become part of this change, you can reach out to Ann directly or send WREN an email via their website.