Awardees are "visionary leaders and game-changing grantee partners committed to the Ms. Foundation's mission of advancing women's collective power and creating safe, just, and equitable futures for all," as stated on the organization's website. Gloria Steinem, the organization's co-founder and a feminist icon, presented the duchess with the award "for her global advocacy to empower and advocate on behalf of women and girls."
At the ceremony, she thanked the award's presenter, feminist author and activist Gloria Steinem, for "[being] the inspiration that you are, for your mentorship, your sage advice, your extraordinarily cheeky sense of humour, and, of course, for your incredible friendship."
The duchess recalled how she would "settle in after a day of school" and read the magazine.
Prince Harry attended the event with his wife, and the two of them could be seen beaming on the red carpet. Doria Ragland, Meghan's mum, came as well to show her love and support.
LaTosha Brown, founder of Black Lives Matter, was also recognised, and she lauded the "incredible leaders" who do "tireless work on behalf of gender and racial equity across the world" during the ceremony.
Addressing Brown, the MailOnline reports, Meghan said: “While I was familiar with most of your work before tonight, nothing could compare to the focus, the determination, the energy I feel from each of you, especially as we all bear witness to you standing in the elegance and the power of your strength.”
She continued: “I remember them vividly because the pictures were different. There was a diversity that I hadn’t seen as often, both of colour and of age, and the names were different."
“There were Congresswomen, there were astronauts, and the topics were different. From mothering, to being a working mom, to heavier topics such as domestic violence, the poverty line, unearthing its roots, where it comes from, and matters of equity.”
It's never too late to start," Meghan told the gathering. "You can be the visionary of your own life.”
According to the official website for the event, Meghan is "one of the most powerful and influential women in the world" and "a passionate advocate for family rights, and an investor in dynamic female founded companies."
