With her recent engagement to Prince Harry, you may have heard Meghan Markle's name blasted throughout the media over the past few months. However what do we really know about the Suits actress and Royal-to-be? We're giving you the low-down on the real Meghan Markle - humanitarian and global ambassador.
Fighting for Gender Equality
Image: Daily Express
Growing up around strong women, Meghan has always been an advocate of gender equality and empowering girls globally. As a Woman's Advocate for the UN, she publicly supports Emma Watson's 'He for She' Campaign, and in 2015 addressed the UN with her own experiences with feminism and gender equality.
Her ongoing campaign for gender equality has also seen Meghan travelling to India to raise awareness for women's issues worldwide.
Fun fact: When Meghan was only 11 years old, she wrote to her First Lady (Hillary Clinton) and a human rights lawyer disputing the tagline "Women all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans" for a dishwashing liquid. A few months later, the tagline was changed to "People all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans"!
Humanitarian
Image: Press Association
Meghan Markle is a Global Ambassador for World Vision Canada, advocating for their Clean Water Campaign. She is incredibly passionate about the cause, and in 2016 travelled to Rwanda to get to know the community and provide clean drinking water. Whilst in Rwanda, Markle of course spoke with the female leaders of the camp and acknowledged their hard work and dedication to their community.
Campaigner for Racial Equality
Image: Popsugar
As a mixed-race woman, Meghan Markle understands the struggles of racial equality and identity. She states that being of mixed-race in the acting industry, she "wasn’t black enough for the black roles and wasn’t white enough for the white ones".
Markle's background symbolises a huge shift in British Royal history, and she owns her heritage with pride as she becomes the only black woman to marry into the historic family.
With her upcoming role and responsibilities in the Royal Family, there is no doubt that this wonder woman will continue to use her influence for global change, and empower women worldwide.
