Something I really appreciate about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex these days is that they’re not posting any video clips or photos from their virtual conversations when those virtual events involve kids. It’s really smart! Meghan and Harry are not only controlling how the media covers their work and activism, but M&H are also taking pains to not have the kids targeted online or in real life by anti-Sussex trolls or the media. Last week, Meghan convened a roundtable for teenage girls who are making an impact in their communities. The only reason we know about it is because information was posted on Archewell, with none of the girls’ names included. From People:
Meghan Markle recently convened a special roundtable with young girls who are making an impact in their schools and communities. The virtual gathering, which took place earlier this month between the Duchess of Sussex, Girls Inc. and the National Women’s Law Center, gave Meghan the opportunity to hear directly from adolescent girls about their experiences and stories, and to come together to honor and reflect on a long history of women changemakers.
“The Duchess believes girls’ voices can and should be heard, and through Archewell she focuses on providing them with the platforms, tools, and forums to help define a path forward and continue making an impact,” according to the official website for Meghan and Prince Harry’s non-profit organization, Archewell.
Meghan, who is expecting a baby girl this summer, heard from a powerful group of 13- 18-year-olds — primary girls of color — who are making a difference in their communities when it comes to education, social justice and health and wellness.
“The group spoke about everyday struggles during COVID-19, including identity loss and isolation, and larger issues of mental health, racial bias and injustice, and more. When asked what tools girls need to thrive in the year ahead, a common thread emerged: acknowledgement, support, empathy, and resources,” the site continues.
Meghan also reflected on the impact of trailblazing women throughout history, asking the girls to share which female figures have inspired them. “Their answers included American civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, as well as Kala Bagai, one of the first South Asian women to immigrate to the United States in the early 20th century, who was known to many in her California community as ‘Mother India,’ ” according to Archewell.
I bet those young changemakers were thrilled to speak to Meghan and I bet they had lots of questions for her, and they’ll remember the time they did a Zoom with her for the rest of their lives. I’m also so impressed with the youths, specifically the teenage girls who are learning how to organize and engage online and in real life. I didn’t learn how to organize until I was in my 20s, and I’m in awe of how quickly the youths are picking it up and how bold they are. They are the future.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, social media.
The youths these days know what’s up, I’m so impressed by them.
The Sussexes appeal to Millenials and GenZs and here is why. Young girls want more than coat dresses and being a mannequin.
more than being a brood mare, an underfed and haggard looking late-30s with no work history and clearly no work ethic. Lazy, entitled, demanding of first position, and nothing–absolutely nothing–to warrant it. I can’t believe the RF has been so stupid to drive H&M out. They deserve to SINK.
And young women also know how foolish and risky it is to solely rely on the man in your life for financial support.
Of course Meg is protecting kids instead of using them as props! Truly Harry and Meghan are so intentional and it shows.
This is leadership!
I like that they don’t release video of the kids or their names, first just for their general privacy as minors and then to protect them from the anti-Sussex trolls – but how sad is that the second part? the anti-Sussex trolls are so….unhinged, for lack of a better word…that they would attack teenage girls for participating in a roundtable with Meghan.
In general I love that Meghan is working steadily and that Archewell is coming more and more into focus, so to speak.
I hope that’s sarcasm!
This is really cool of her. She has a lot to teach about activism and mobilising. I hope one of their Netflix projects is on youth activism, although it would be tricky to protect the kids involved, as you point out.
Yes I think I can say with confidence that Mabs is being sarcastic lol.
Mabs? Sarcastic? NEVER!!! LOL
The difference in those who DO, and those who just *talk* about doing.
The difference in those that talk the talk and walk the walk, and those who play golf and with sheep.
THIS is a Life of Service.
Yup! There’s the world stage and there is playing with farm animals whilst grinning inanely. You cannot compare where you don’t compete.
Well said Elizabeth Regina! You last sentence really sends the message!!
100% on your last sentence.
She’s such a BA. What an awesome woman.
The Royal Family could’ve had someone so cool to legitimately modernize the monarchy, but they had to ruin a good thing..
I LOVE that meghan did this with National Women’s Law Center after previously working with them before she met her ginger prince. She isn’t new to this, she’s true to this. And good thinking of them to keep the identities of the girls private.
I agree. It speaks volumes. She lived a full life before she married. How the RF thought they could dim her light to accommodate TOD is beyond me.
Actually the event was April 8th they didn’t post it because of Philip’s death.
It’s a really great thing she’s doing and with meaningful organizations. But I’m always skeptical about these roundtables talk and more interested to see the results from these talks.
Oh my goodness, of course, our Duchess!! I love this so much. I am so excited to hear of Meghan’s efforts empowering young women. WHO RUN THE WORLD/ someday
When this was posted on DM they went bonkers saying that Megan shouldnt be advising young girls, a few saying “she should not be the royal educating young girls”. My reply was the RF prefers to send Andy around in person to educate young women in the ways of the world. And shockingly the DM moderators left my comment and It got alot of likes.
Kate only speaks to children. She cannot hold substantial conversations with young adults. She could and would never. What the hell would she say? Mumble, mumble, early
Years.
Indian child: “I was maimed so that I could be a more pitiful beggar.”
Kate: “How interesting.”
You’re doing the Lord’s work there, and thank you for it.
She has always been so consistent about her work for women empowerment. I love that even after decades she is still so dedicated.
It’s so disgusting that people hate meghan so much that they attack any charity that is doing anything with her or Harry . That grown adult woman will spend their time attacking children because they talked to Meghan .
That is such menacing behavior to go after the children/teenagers/charities. Is it known if they are actual grown ups? Because it doesn’t sound like it. Then again, there are a lot of grown ups with an undeveloped mentality.
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This sounds like a really unique opportunity for these girls especially with having to be isolated so much over the past year. Meghan is really good at being an active listener and teenagers need that.
Didn’t realize they weren’t showing clips from their conversations with teens. It’s a damn shame these trolls can’t control themselves. Happy for those girls. The world will be a better place when this generation of leaders comes of age. They are doing so well right now. The future is bright.
I love that Meghan and Harry are going about their lives, doing their work with joy and without a backward glance.
It nearly makes me cry to see such forces of good in the world. For a long time, I despaired: there were so few role models, such apathy. Meghan is inspirational. She’s clever, and flawed, and giving, and charismatic. I know that so many people have echoed this sentiment, but the Royal Family lost something great, something irreplaceable: where they should have cherished, they meted scorn and cruelty. I’m so happy that Meghan is away from the toxicity and doing work that will have effects lasting a lifetime.
Yes they did.
I love in Toronto and work as a youth worker at a shelter. I learned months ago that when she was here she would volunteer at the shelter next to mine. She’s amazing.
Just another thing that bums me out about corona – I wish these girls could get together with Meghan in person. This is great, but seeing someone in person always feels different from a virtual visit.
Go on Duchess!!!
And seated in the photo with the first (and only!) Woman to be Australian Prime Minister, who instead of being listened to, was judged on her appearance and clothing choices incessantly. Why must we constantly bring people down! 🤷🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️
I, too, really admire these young people who work to make a difference in their communities. When I see how the young people of today organize online and accomplish things that send a message, I have hope for the future. I still recall that interview the briefly-lived Fab 4 did before the wedding and while Kate was pregnant. I remember that Kate said some words, but I remember how Meghan really lit up and was passionate when she was speaking to mental health as it relates to women and girls. I recently rewatched that on youtube and was very disheartened to see the negative comments that Kate was “proper and dignified”while Meghan supposedly made it all about her. It’s as if people just refuse to listen to her. I am so sick of people thinking that being bland and devoid of any passion is the way for women to act. Over it.
I don’t really know if it wasn’t just the timing surrounding when this was taped that prevented it airing – Phillip’s funeral. I like the idea of protecting youngster’s identity and keeping them safe from Meghan haters, but I think these young people shouldn’t be underestimated. They know how to handle trolls better than their elders and truthfully from what I can gleaned most of these Meghan trolls are middle aged women. The youngsters can take them in their sleep, see the teenagers podcast young people. If it was indeed not aired to protect the young persons, I get that, but I truly believe they can take care of themselves online.
I admire the heck out of Meghan, and I am extremely proud of these young ladies.