01of 17
Speaking Out Against Sexism — at 11!
The commercial for the soap struck her as unfair and insensitive when she heard, “women all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans.”
“I don’t think it’s right for kids to grow up thinking these things, that just mom does everything,” the then 11-year-old said during an interview withNick News.
Meghan decided to write to the company and asked them to change their slogan from “women all over America” to “people all over America” — and the company did!
02of 17
Fighting Sexualization
Patrick J. Adams and Meghan Markle on Suits.Shane Mahood/USA Network/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Speaking at the One Young World conference in Dublin, Meghanreportedly said:“This season, every script seemed to begin with Rachel enters wearing a towel. And I said, no, not doing it anymore.
“I called the creator and I said and I was like, it’s just gratuitous, we get it, we’ve already seen it once. So I think at a certain point you feel empowered enough to just say no.”
03of 17
Standing Against the Stigma Surrounding Menstruation
Meghan Markle.Samir Hussein/WireImage
In 2017, Meghan penned a powerful essay forTimeon the stigma surrounding menstruation in the developing world.
She added that girls feel embarrassed and ill equipped, causing them to stop going to school.
“Wasted opportunity is unacceptable with stakes this high,” Meghan said. “To break the cycle of poverty, and to achieve economic growth and sustainability in developing countries, young women need access to education.”
04of 17
Appearing at the U.N.
Meghan Markle and Doria Ragland.Sylvain Gaboury/Patrick McMullan via Getty
Meghan appeared at the U.N. Women’s conference on International Women’s Day 2015. She sweetly brought her mom, Doria Ragland, along with her, but it was her speech on gender equality that was truly inspiring.
05of 17Remembering Her WordsIn a 2022 video for International Women’s Day, part of Meghan’s U.N. speech was included alongside the words of other feminist women: “It is said that girls with dreams become women with vision.”
05of 17
Remembering Her Words
In a 2022 video for International Women’s Day, part of Meghan’s U.N. speech was included alongside the words of other feminist women: “It is said that girls with dreams become women with vision.”
06of 17Fighting for Clean Water AccessIn 2016, Meghan traveled to Rwanda with World Vision to see how clean water could help change a community.“These girls are able to stay in school because they aren’t walking hours a day to go and get water,” Meghan said. “This clean water source has changed the entire community.”
06of 17
Fighting for Clean Water Access
In 2016, Meghan traveled to Rwanda with World Vision to see how clean water could help change a community.
“These girls are able to stay in school because they aren’t walking hours a day to go and get water,” Meghan said. “This clean water source has changed the entire community.”
07of 17Improving Gender EqualityIn 2017, Meghan traveled again as a World Vision Global Ambassador — this time heading to India to advocate for gender equality, health improvements and girls' education.She met with local activists and educators to talk about improving access to girls' latrines, a significant problem for 63 million teenage girls in India.
07of 17
Improving Gender Equality
In 2017, Meghan traveled again as a World Vision Global Ambassador — this time heading to India to advocate for gender equality, health improvements and girls' education.
She met with local activists and educators to talk about improving access to girls' latrines, a significant problem for 63 million teenage girls in India.
08of 17Making Her Voice HeardPrince Harry, Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton and Prince William.Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/GettyJust a few months ahead of her royal wedding, Meghan used her platform to encourage people to listen to women.“I hear a lot of people speaking about girls' empowerment and women’s empowerment — you will hear people saying they are helping women find their voices,” she said in 2018 alongsidePrince Harry,Prince Williamand Kate at the first annual Royal Foundation Forum. “I fundamentally disagree with that because women don’t need to find their voices, they need to be empowered to use it and people need to be urged to listen.”
08of 17
Making Her Voice Heard
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton and Prince William.Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty
Just a few months ahead of her royal wedding, Meghan used her platform to encourage people to listen to women.
“I hear a lot of people speaking about girls' empowerment and women’s empowerment — you will hear people saying they are helping women find their voices,” she said in 2018 alongsidePrince Harry,Prince Williamand Kate at the first annual Royal Foundation Forum. “I fundamentally disagree with that because women don’t need to find their voices, they need to be empowered to use it and people need to be urged to listen.”
09of 17Making a StatementMeghan Markle.Danny Lawson - WPA Pool/GettyAfter her father was unable to attend her May 2018 wedding toPrince Harry, Meghan struck a powerful image as she walked down the aisle unaccompanied. AlthoughPrince Charlesescorted her part of the way down the aisle, no one “gave her away” to her new husband.
09of 17
Making a Statement
Meghan Markle.Danny Lawson - WPA Pool/Getty
After her father was unable to attend her May 2018 wedding toPrince Harry, Meghan struck a powerful image as she walked down the aisle unaccompanied. AlthoughPrince Charlesescorted her part of the way down the aisle, no one “gave her away” to her new husband.
10of 17Supporting SuffrageMeghan Markle.Kirsty Wigglesworth - Pool /GettyIn New Zealand, Meghan celebrated New Zealand’s 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage.“We are proud to be able to join you tonight in celebrating the 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage in your country,” Meghan began her speech. “The achievements of the women of New Zealand who campaigned for their right to vote, and were the first in the world to achieve it, are universally admired. In looking forward to this very special occasion, I reflected on the importance of this achievement, but also the larger impact of what this symbolizes.”
10of 17
Supporting Suffrage
Meghan Markle.Kirsty Wigglesworth - Pool /Getty
In New Zealand, Meghan celebrated New Zealand’s 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage.
“We are proud to be able to join you tonight in celebrating the 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage in your country,” Meghan began her speech. “The achievements of the women of New Zealand who campaigned for their right to vote, and were the first in the world to achieve it, are universally admired. In looking forward to this very special occasion, I reflected on the importance of this achievement, but also the larger impact of what this symbolizes.”
11of 17Encouraging Women’s EducationMeghan Markle.Phil Noble/PA Images via GettyDuring Meghan andPrince Harry’s 2018 tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga, the Duchess of Sussex took the mic at the University of the South Pacific for herfirst royal tour speech, focusing on the topic of education.“Everyone should be afforded the opportunity to receive the education they want, but more importantly the education they have the right to receive,” she said. “And for women and girls in developing countries, this is vital.““When girls are given the right tools to succeed, they can create incredible futures, not only for themselves but for all of those around them. And while progress has been made in many areas across the Commonwealth, there is always scope to offer more opportunities to the next generation of young adults, and specifically to young women.”
11of 17
Encouraging Women’s Education
Meghan Markle.Phil Noble/PA Images via Getty
During Meghan andPrince Harry’s 2018 tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga, the Duchess of Sussex took the mic at the University of the South Pacific for herfirst royal tour speech, focusing on the topic of education.
“Everyone should be afforded the opportunity to receive the education they want, but more importantly the education they have the right to receive,” she said. “And for women and girls in developing countries, this is vital.”
“When girls are given the right tools to succeed, they can create incredible futures, not only for themselves but for all of those around them. And while progress has been made in many areas across the Commonwealth, there is always scope to offer more opportunities to the next generation of young adults, and specifically to young women.”
12of 17Empowering Other WomenMeghan Markle.Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesDuring Meghan andPrince Harry’s 2019 visit to South Africa, she gave an inspiring speech.“On one personal note, may I just say that while I am here with my husband as a member of the royal family, I want you to know that for me, I am here as a mother, as a wife, as a woman, as a woman of color and as your sister. I am here with you, and I am here for you.”
12of 17
Empowering Other Women
Meghan Markle.Chris Jackson/Getty Images
During Meghan andPrince Harry’s 2019 visit to South Africa, she gave an inspiring speech.
“On one personal note, may I just say that while I am here with my husband as a member of the royal family, I want you to know that for me, I am here as a mother, as a wife, as a woman, as a woman of color and as your sister. I am here with you, and I am here for you.”
13of 17Raising Important IssuesWhile spending time in Canada in early 2020,Meghan visited Justice for Girls, a nonprofit in Vancouver that promotes equality and health for teens living in poverty.During the 90-minute visit, as they talked about everything from female leadership skills to the rights of indigenous women, Meghan “was listening intently,” Annabel Webb, the group’s co-founder, tells PEOPLE. Adds co-director Zoe Craig-Sparrow, “We all felt at ease, and I think that was a testament to the duchess. She said it was important for her to get to know the local context around the issues in the communities.”
13of 17
Raising Important Issues
While spending time in Canada in early 2020,Meghan visited Justice for Girls, a nonprofit in Vancouver that promotes equality and health for teens living in poverty.
During the 90-minute visit, as they talked about everything from female leadership skills to the rights of indigenous women, Meghan “was listening intently,” Annabel Webb, the group’s co-founder, tells PEOPLE. Adds co-director Zoe Craig-Sparrow, “We all felt at ease, and I think that was a testament to the duchess. She said it was important for her to get to know the local context around the issues in the communities.”
14of 17Continuing Women’s Right to VoteIn a backyard chat with Gloria Steinem, Meghan spoke about the representation of women at the polls ahead of the 2020 presidential election.Meghan said, “I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did and that it allows you to reflect on who inspires you to vote as we approach this upcoming election. Your voice matters. Please use it.”
14of 17
Continuing Women’s Right to Vote
In a backyard chat with Gloria Steinem, Meghan spoke about the representation of women at the polls ahead of the 2020 presidential election.
Meghan said, “I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did and that it allows you to reflect on who inspires you to vote as we approach this upcoming election. Your voice matters. Please use it.”
15of 17
Meghan sentpersonalized notes of encouragementto women who received support from Smart Works, a U.K. charity she patrons that helps unemployed women in need with clothing and training for job interviews, in March 2021.
16of 17
Mentoring the Next Generation
Meghan Markle.NDZ/Star Max/GC Images
17of 17Prince Harry’s a Feminist, Too!Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.Dia Dipasupil/GettyDuring her chat with Gloria Steinem, Meghan noted, “It’s not mutually exclusive to be a feminist and be feminine.“Steinem then replied, “Well, you can be a feminist and be masculine and a guy.““Like my husband!” Meghan said. “I love that when he just came in he said, ‘You know that I’m a feminist too, right Gloria?! It’s really important to me that you know that.’ “Meghan also spoke about howPrince Harrywill be a positive influence on their son, Archie.“I look at our son and what a beautiful example that he gets to grow up with a father who is so comfortable owning that as part of his own self-identification,” she said. “That there’s no shame in being someone who advocates for fundamental human rights for everyone, which of course includes women.”
17of 17
Prince Harry’s a Feminist, Too!
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.Dia Dipasupil/Getty
During her chat with Gloria Steinem, Meghan noted, “It’s not mutually exclusive to be a feminist and be feminine.”
Steinem then replied, “Well, you can be a feminist and be masculine and a guy.”
“Like my husband!” Meghan said. “I love that when he just came in he said, ‘You know that I’m a feminist too, right Gloria?! It’s really important to me that you know that.’ "
Meghan also spoke about howPrince Harrywill be a positive influence on their son, Archie.
“I look at our son and what a beautiful example that he gets to grow up with a father who is so comfortable owning that as part of his own self-identification,” she said. “That there’s no shame in being someone who advocates for fundamental human rights for everyone, which of course includes women.”
source: people.com
