SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The “South Carolina Sister Senators” will have an open discussion about issues in South Carolina politics and the need for women’s leadership in the second installment of A Candid Conversation on Monday, Sept. 29, at 6 p.m.

The conversation will be held in Leonard Auditorium, Main Building, on the Wofford College campus. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and a sneak peek of a documentary about them will be screened after the discussion.

A Candid Conversation is a moderated discussion series featuring perspectives from both sides of the political spectrum in an effort to foster civil discourse and share critical information in the current political landscape. The conversation between the “South Carolina Sister Senators” will be moderated by former S.C. House Representative Rita Allison, with a foreword by Spartanburg community leader Susu Johnson.

There is no ticketing or pre-registration process. Seating is general admission. For questions about accessible seating and entrance to the building, contact Amanda Gilman, special assistant to the president and campus events management coordinator, at gilmanaf@wofford.edu. 

Media should contact Kathryn Harvey at kathryn@neuesouth.com.

About the “South Carolina Sister Senators”
The “South Carolina Sister Senators” are former South Carolina State senators Penry Gustafson (Republican), Mia McLeod (Independent), Sandy Senn (Republican) and Katrina Shealy (Republican), as well as currently serving senator Margie Bright Matthews (Democrat).

These five women united across party lines to fight for women’s rights. Gustafson, Senn and Shealy all lost their primary races this past year after blocking a hardline abortion ban, and McLeod vacated her seat in 2024. In 2023, all of the “South Carolina Sister Senators” were awarded the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.

About Former S.C. House Representative Rita Allison
The Hon. Rita Allison has served since January 2023 on the South Carolina Board of Education as the governor's appointee. She served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1993 to 2002 and again from 2008 to 2022. She served on the House Ways and Means Committee and chaired the K-12 and Special Schools Sub-committee. She also served as vice chair of House Operations and Management Committee and Joint Legislative Committee for Families and Children and as chair of the South Carolina General Assembly's Women's Caucus. She has been chair of the Spartanburg County Legislative Delegation, organized and chaired the GOP Women's Caucus and was assistant majority leader in the House.

Allison’s other accomplishments include services as a former member of the Spartanburg County District Five School Board of Trustees, as South Carolina Outstanding PTA President and as a board member for R.D. Anderson Vocational School. She is an active board member for the Middle Tyger Community Center in Lyman, S.C., and the J. Verne Smith Human Resource Center in Greer, S.C. She also served on the Greer Development Board, the South Carolina Commission of the Blind Foundation Board, the South Carolina Office of First Steps Board and the Board for Senior Centers.

About Wofford College
Wofford College, established in 1854, is a four-year, residential liberal arts college located in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The college is nationally known for its outstanding faculty, study abroad participation, successful and supportive graduates and commitment to making college affordable and accessible; 99% of students receive some form of financial assistance. The college’s 180-acre campus, located within walking distance of Spartanburg’s thriving downtown, is home to about 1,800 undergraduates. In addition to a rigorous academic program and experiential learning opportunities (study abroad, career preparation, research and community-based learning), Wofford students enjoy Division I athletics, fraternity and sorority life and an active visual and performing arts scene. To learn more, visit wofford.edu.