Meghan Markle awarded the Woman of Vision Award by Ms. Foundation in New York

Meghan Markle, also known as the Duchess of Sussex, was presented Women of Vision Award by the co-founder of the Ms. Foundation for Women, Gloria Steinem on 16^th May in Ziegfeld Ballroom in Manhattan, New York as recognition for "her global advocacy to empower and advocate on behalf of women and girls.". LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, joined her at the event too.

Meghan was a guest of honour at the event. Meghan approached the stage after accepting her prize and during her acceptance speech, she urged women to seek inspiration in their pursuit of equality.

Meghan remarked, "It's never too late to start. You may create your own life's vision. There is plenty of work still to accomplish.”

Her acceptance speech concluded the Ms. Foundation for Women's annual gala, which was a part of the organization's 50th-anniversary celebration as the oldest women's foundation in the country. The dinner also marked the beginning of the foundation's $100 million, 12-month fundraising drive, which will be used to support its equity-focused programs and objective to increase the collective power of women.

The foundation has already achieved more than half of its objective. It declared that the late philanthropist and photographer Lucia Woods Lindley had left the charity a $50 million bequest, the largest in its history. Another $1 million was raised at the event itself, and guests also contributed approximately $500,000 during dinner. In front of her mother Doria Ragland, Meghan recalled how growing up with Ms. Magazine constantly there harmed her outlook on life.

She looked across at Gloria Steinem, co-founder of the Ms. Foundation, who had introduced her along with Teresa C. Younger, the foundation's current CEO, and stated, "I am a woman who continues to be inspired and propelled by this organization. "It allowed me to recognize that speaking up for those who felt ignored, standing up to injustice, and not being afraid to say what is true, what is just, and what is right was part of my greater value and purpose in life."

She made no mention of the coronation, even though it was her first public appearance since she chose to stay at home in California for her son Prince Archie's fourth birthday rather than attend the crowning of her father-in-law King Charles III earlier this month. Prince Harry, her spouse, went to the coronation in London before rushing back to California.

Through their Archewell Foundation, Meghan and Prince Harry manage their charitable giving. According to the foundation's 2022 annual report, the Archewell Foundation helped resettle nearly 175,000 Afghan and Ukrainian refugees in the United States and provided nearly 13 million Covid-19 vaccines with partner Global Citizen.

Hugh Evans, CEO of Global Citizen, said that the Archewell Foundation founders were instrumental in convincing the world's richest countries to donate part of the Covid-19 vaccine doses to people abroad while also raising hundreds of millions of dollars for the vaccinations through Global Citizen VAX Live. As Meghan and Evans collaborated at roundtables marketing the event in 2021, Evans stated he was pleased with Meghan's work ethic.

Evans told The Associated Press, "I would say she's willing to roll up her sleeves and be practical." "It's always a good sign when you see someone willing to spend their time working behind the scenes and not doing the glamorous things."

Longtime friend Tarana Burke, who started the #MeToo movement, presented LaTosha Brown with the Woman of Vision award. Burke had led the audience in song to welcome Brown to the stage. After singing her inspirational song, Brown gave a moving statement about pushing for change.

Even suffering has value, she claimed. "What's going on in this country right now isn't just about what the Republicans or the Democrats are going to do, the speaker said. It truly is a matter of what we will do as a group to embrace this uncomfortable situation and see it as a chance to do things well because we haven't done them yet.”

Audra McDonald, a Broadway icon, interrupted her current tour to attend the dinner in support of the Duchess of Sussex and Brown. Regarding Brown, McDonald gushed, "I love her so much." "It's a privilege to get to know her a little bit, pick her brain, and see that passion, ambition, and knowledge. She is a heroine.

The Black Voters Matter organisation, founded by Brown, works with communities in 25 states and the District of Columbia to make voting more effective while Brown's Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute provides voter education, registration, and other programmes to enhance access to voting.