Meghan Markle Celebrated International Women's Day Early with a Surprise School Visit

Alicia Brunker
·5 min read
Meghan Markle Celebrated International Women's Day Early with a Surprise School Visit

Long before becoming a royal, Meghan Markle has been a champion for gender equality. At age 11, the duchess had a feminist breakthrough after seeing a commercial for Ivory dishwashing soap that she considered to be sexist, and, ever since then, it's become her mission to advocate for women everywhere. So, it's only fitting for this year's International Women's Day that she inspire a group of young students.

On Friday, Meghan celebrated the global holiday honoring women ahead of time during a surprise school visit to the Robert Clack Upper School in Dagenham. Wearing a pantsuit consisting of tailored black trousers and a chic cream coat, Meghan gave an empowered speech addressed to the "women of our future" and the young men who are helping them fight for equal rights.

<p>WPA Pool/Getty Images</p>

WPA Pool/Getty Images

"It is such an honor for me to be here today," she began. "When we thought about what I wanted to do for International Women's Day this year, for me, it was incredibly important to be with the women of our future. And that is all of you young women here, as well as you, the young men, who play a very large part in this."

Meghan also highlighted the importance of the school's location in Dagenham, England, which she chose after learning about its sewing machinists strike in the '60s. According to the @sussexroyal Instagram account, 50 years ago, female workers at the Ford Motor Company walked out on strike over unfair pay — an event that prompted the passing of the Equal Pay Act in the UK.

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50 years ago, women in Britain won the right to equal pay. That monumental moment began with one courageous and inspiring group of women in a factory in Dagenham, England. In 1968, facing a pay settlement that declared them less skilled than men, the sewing machinists of the Ford Motor Company walked out on strike. In the face of great pressure, they stood firm, and two years later the UK Parliament was forced to pass the Equal Pay Act, protecting and supporting working women ever since. To mark International Women’s Day, The Duchess of Sussex visited Dagenham to meet with Geraldine Dear, one of the strikers, and spend time with students at the Robert Clack Upper School to meet the town’s next generation of female role models, and talk to young women and men about the women who inspire them. • “Being in Dagenham is incredibly profound. Because as you can see with Geraldine and the other women who had the strength to really stand up for something that they knew needed to be done. This is the best example of no matter how small you might feel, how low you may feel on the ladder or the totem pole, no matter what colour you are, no matter what gender you are, you have a voice, and you certainly have the right to speak up for what is right.” - The Duchess of Sussex A lifetime advocate and campaigner for gender equity, The Duchess joined a special assembly to celebrate this remarkable local story, as well as recognise the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of all women around the world. #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2020 #EachForEqual Photo © The Duke and Duchess of Sussex / Chris Allerton

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Mar 8, 2020 at 5:08am PDT

"I think specifically coming to your school made a lot of sense for me because of this social justice and the impact that it's rooted in," Meghan told the crowd, before referring to retired Ford tailor Geraldine Dear, who was one of the 13 women that started the strike.

“Being in Dagenham is incredibly profound. Because as you can see with Geraldine and the other women who had the strength to really stand up for something that they knew needed to be done. This is the best example of no matter how small you might feel, how low you may feel on the ladder or the totem pole, no matter what color you are, no matter what gender you are, you have a voice, and you certainly have the right to speak up for what is right.”

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Happy International Women’s Day! Here, a glimpse of The Duchess’ visit to the Robert Clack School to hear from the students on what IWD means to them, and how we can all uplift one another. Tag an inspiring woman in your life and tell us what #IWD2020 means to you. More behind the scenes moments coming soon...

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Mar 7, 2020 at 10:56pm PST

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In her heartfelt address, Meghan also encouraged young men to advocate for the women in their lives not just on International Women's Day, but year-round. “Continue to value and appreciate the women in your lives, and also set the example for some men who are not seeing it that same way,” she said, adding: “You have your mothers, sisters, girlfriends, friends in your life—protect them. Make sure that they are feeling valued and safe."

"Let's all rally together to make International Women’s Day something that is not just on Sunday—but frankly, feels like every day of the year.”