Meghan Markle issued an inspiring speech to women last night as she encouraged them to "be the visionary of your own life".
The Duchess of Sussex accepted the Women of Vision award in New York yesterday evening and used her moving acceptance speech to tell others it's "never too late to start", the Mirror reports.
Speaking to the audience at the Ms Foundation's Women of Vision Awards ceremony, the former actress said: "It's just never too late to start. You can be the visionary of your own life.
"You can charter a path in which what you repeat in your daily acts of service, in kindness, in advocacy, in grace and in fairness, that those become the very things that are recognised by the next wave of women, both young and old who will also choose this moment to join the movement, and make our vision for an equitable world, reality."
The former Suits star also shared with the audience how she would come home from school each day as a young girl and see Ms Foundation's Ms Magazine on the coffee table.
She emotionally recalled: "It's funny because as a young girl, I would come home, I would settle in after a day of school, pull up my TV tray dinner, and I would turn on my evening ritual, Jeopardy!
"And I would glance at the coffee table, where I would see an array of things. It could be the cat's collar, my homework, some mail that had just been brought in, and some magazines. The magazines said Ms on them."
Elsewhere in her speech, Meghan paid tribute to one of her close pals and political activist Gloria Steinem who was handing out the awards.
She 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".
Speaking of Ms Foundation, Meghan added: "I am a woman who remains inspired and driven by this organisation.
"It allowed me to recognise that part of my greater value and purpose in life was to advocate for those who felt unheard, to stand up to injustice, and to not be afraid of saying what is true and what is just and what is right."
Meghan was joined by her proud husband Prince Harry and her devoted mother Doria Ragland as the trio attended the ceremony at the Ziegfeld Ballroom.
The Suits star looked phenomenal in a stunning gold strapless gown designed by Johanna Ortiz which has a retail value of $1,850 (£1,482).
The stylish Duchess paired the gorgeous dress with strappy gold heels worth an eye watering $1,350 (£1,081) and a matching Carolina Herrera clutch bag which comes in at $1,100 (£881).
Meghan wore her long dark locks in a wavy style and over one shoulder to show off her gold hoop earrings. The mother-of-two's look was perfected with a smoky eye shadow and a classic nude lip.
Her award comes as she was recognised for her "global advocacy to empower and advocate on behalf of women and girls" through her work at her and Prince Harry's Archewell Foundation.
Figures from a report earlier this year showed that the Sussexes had raised a total of $13m (£10m) and given away $3m (£2.4m) to charitable causes through Archewell.
The couple averted their attention to more important issues after stepping down from the royal family in 2020 and decided to set up the charitable foundation.
Reports earlier this year showed the causes that they have helped raise money for which include Covid vaccines and Afghan refugees.
Other women who received awards at the 50th anniversary celebration of the annual gala include Black Voters Matter co-founder LaTosha Brown, as well as emerging leaders abortion rights activist Olivia Julianna and LGBTQ+ advocate Rebekah Bruesehoff.
While announcing the honourable awardees, Ms. Foundation's president and CEO, Teresa C. Younger, said: "Meghan, LaTosha, Wanda, Kimberly, Olivia, and Rebekah are incredible leaders.
"We are grateful to be able to shine a light on their many accomplishments and tireless work on behalf of gender and racial equity across the country and the world."
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