Ax the Tax
Why women pay more and how it’s changing in SC
Have you shopped for period products? If so, you know that they are taxed in SC, adding a significant - and unfair - financial burden for women - and only for women.
But this year, there is hope that this can change. Thanks to advocacy organizations like WREN and the Period Project, a bill to remove sales tax from these products was recently passed in the State House by unanimous vote. It now moves to the Senate, where we will need to work hard to lobby our elected officials and help these advocates push this bill over the line.
What does this mean to women and girls? What is the scope of the issue? And what can we do to help? These questions and more were answered in Ax The Tax, a virtual event featuring Ashley Crary Lidow, the director of policy and government relations at WREN, and Karen Dudley-Culbreath, the executive director of the Period Project.
More about our panelists:
Karen Culbreath-Dudley became the executive director of The Period Project (TPP) in December 2022, after completing a year of service as the Interim Executive Director for ACLU of South Carolina. Her strategic leadership, business acumen, and advocacy skills are propelling TPP into the next growth phase. The State of South Carolina is quickly learning about her passion for improving the lives of marginalized community members. Her passion is her footprint when advocating for economic improvement and awareness for ALL of South Carolina, specifically those experiencing Period Poverty.
Karen holds a Master of Business Administration from Thomas More College in Crestview Hills, KY. She attended Miami University (Oxford, OH) and the University of Cincinnati for her undergraduate years. She is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SHRM-SCP) and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (LSSBB). Karen is a member of many prominent organizations including the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), Greenville Society of Human Resource Management (G-SHRM), and Project Management Institute – Palmetto Chapter. She is the Board Chair for South Carolinians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty and Vernon’s Veteran Services, Inc., Co-Chair of G-SHRM Diversity committee, and the incoming Treasurer for the Urban League of the Upstate Board of Directors.
Ashley Crary Lidow is the director of policy and government relations at WREN, leading research and policy objectives with the SC General Assembly primarily in the areas of economic policies, public health, and their related impact. Her experience encompasses legislative advancement from direct lobbying, developing highly productive and functional coalitions, and facilitating valuable research and analysis for utilization in advocacy efforts. Ashley has developed a reputation for her ability to drive agendas, foster key relationships with decision makers and stakeholders, and deliver poignant messaging for rapid, unified mobilization. She holds a Master’s in Public Health, has co-authored research on how policy-level interventions benefit public health, and serves as an advisor on local, state, and federal levels including the State Innovation Exchange (SiX) Reproductive Freedom Leadership Council Advocates Advisory Board.