Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle has recently become a household name but well before her rise to royalty Meghan was an independent strong women determined not to let her rough childhood define her. Meghan was born on August 4, 1981 in California. Meghan struggled as a kid being biracial and finding her place. In a recent interview she recalled experiencing a lack of diversity growing up as she worked to find her own truth. When Markle was 6 her parents went through a divorce and she moved to live with her mother full time.

Meghan as a baby with her mother and father when they were still married.

Meghan Markle on Suits

Meghan remained close to her father and looked up to her as a young child. At that time he was a lighting director for a soap opera and it was a visit to the set one day that inspired her to get into television. She later signed to Endorse Management Group and soon after had a role her first film Lot Like Love. Her first onscreen role was a small part in an episode of General Hospital. She later was a briefcase model on the game show Deal or No Deal and had small parts on shows including 90210, CSI, and The League. However, it was her role as Rachel Zane on Suits where she really made a name for herself.

​Meghan met Harry in July of 2016 in London and by November of the next year they were engaged. On May 19, 2018, nearly two years after they met, Harry and Meghan got married at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. 5 months after their wedding Kensington Palace announced that the couple is expecting their first child due Spring 2019.

          Meghan Markle on her wedding day with Harry

Meghan Markle delivering a powerful speech at the British Fashion Awards.

​However, way before she met Harry Meghan became an advocate for women’s rights. When she was 11 her classmate told her that women are meant to be in the kitchen. Outraged, that marked the point Meghan became a self declared ‘feminist.’ Meghan has consistently used her platform to put a global spotlight on the need for gender equality. When asked about her work Meghan replies, “In doing this, we remind girls that their small voices are in fact not small at all, and that they can affect change. In doing this, we remind women that their involvement matters; that they need to become active in their communities, in their local governments, as well as at the highest parliamentary positions.”

​Since 2014 Meghan Meghan has been a part of UN women as an “Advocate for Political Participation and Leadership.” Her advocacy work includes visiting the World Bank, Rwanda, and visiting Clinton’s team when Hillary Clinton was the secretary of state. In a 2016 interview with AOL Build Meghan shares that she feels she has a responsibility to use her platform for good. Meghan declares, “If you have this kind of job and you have an opportunity to have a profile where people are listening to what you’re saying, I really truly think you need to be saying something that’s valuable. So, yes, you can talk about, “Where did Rachel get that pencil skirt?” Fine, sure. We can have that conversation, but I’d also like to talk about women’s rights or my work with UN Women or with World Vision or humanitarian trips or just really bolstering self esteem that has nothing to do with the external.”
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                Meghan Markle speaking about UN Women

​In watching Meghan’s speech to the UN about the necessity of taking action it is clear how far she has come since her childhood. We encourage everyone to watch this impactful video, and that everyone stands up for female rights, just like Meghan did.

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Sources:
https://youtu.be/Zkb-zg4JCLk
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/news/a47178/meghan-markle-family-parents/
https://www.biography.com/people/meghan-markle-013117
https://www.eonline.com/news/994482/meghan-markle-s-former-acting-resume-offers-a-must-see-glimpse-into-her-past-life
https://www.ajc.com/entertainment/celebrity-news/prince-harry-and-meghan-markle-relationship-timeline/YOoadcrxmfwcW3HBcnCdBK/
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/national-international/Feminist-Meghan-Markle-Advocate-for-Women-UN-Women-460478763.html