Meghan was honored last year by the legendary feminist icon Gloria Steinem as part of an initiative promoting women's empowerment and voting ahead of the US presidential election. However, recent developments suggest there's more to this story between these prominent figures in women's rights.
Let's rewind to August 2021. Steinem, co-founder of Ms. Magazine, took to social media to share photos of her Zoom call with Meghan, praising her as a role model. Steinem announced plans to award Meghan the Woman of the Year from The Ms. Foundation, an organization she founded decades ago to advance feminist causes. Many saw this as a significant endorsement from a stalwart of the feminist movement.
However, less than a month later, during an interview with Marie Claire magazine, Meghan made surprising claims about the initial meeting with Steinem. She suggested the Zoom call happened spontaneously after she cold-called Steinem out of the blue at her home to check in. Meghan went on to say that Steinem admitted she didn't know who Meghan was before the call but was impressed and promised her support.
These revelations raised eyebrows because Steinem is renowned for her careful selection of awardees, not for granting awards based on impromptu phone calls. Journalists pointed out that Steinem would have been well aware of Meghan's background and identity before their conversation. So, Meghan's narrative about their meeting struck many as questionable, with critics suggesting it was more about self-promotion than genuine feminist solidarity.
The situation worsened when Meghan used her platform in Marie Claire to deliver a politically charged message just weeks before the US election, urging people to reject hate speech and misinformation. This move sparked controversy and criticism, particularly in the UK, where royal family members traditionally avoid such overt political statements.
Behind the scenes, sources indicate that Steinem was privately stunned and embarrassed by Meghan's behavior. While she maintained public support, Steinem allegedly grew increasingly concerned about Meghan's tendency to exploit connections and progressive groups for personal gain rather than collaborative activism. This concern reportedly intensified when Steinem discovered Meghan had filmed herself being honored at a Ms. Foundation event without permission, seemingly to enhance her image as a feminist icon.
In a surprising turn of events, Steinem has now decided to revoke Meghan's Woman of the Year award. All mentions and photos of Meghan associated with the award have been removed from The Ms. Foundation's website and archives. Steinem has also ended their professional association, cutting ties with Meghan entirely. She cited concerns about Meghan's integrity and her pattern of using people and causes for personal advancement under the guise of empowerment.
This move represents a significant setback for Meghan's reputation in feminist circles. It's seen as a major embarrassment as Meghan transitions to building a career as a public speaker in the United States. While we hope for the best for both women, this incident underscores the importance of integrity and genuine collaboration in advancing feminist causes.
