Meghan Markle and Archie.Photo: The Duke of Sussex/@SaveChildrenUK
Meghan Markleis expanding her campaign to support working mothers.
Two and a half months ago, the Duchess of Sussex launched her40x40 initiativeon August 4th (her 40th birthday), encouraging people to spend 40 minutes of their day to support women going back to work in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, which saw women exiting the workforce in high numbers.
“Over the past 20 months, the pandemic has exposed long-existing fault lines in our communities,” the mother to 2-year-oldArchieand 4-month-oldLiliwrites, setting up her argument for comprehensive, national paid leave. “At an alarming rate, millions of women dropped out of the workforce, staying home with their kids as schools and daycares were closed, and looking after loved ones full-time. The working mom or parent is facing the conflict of being present or being paid. The sacrifice of either comes at a great cost.”
Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Chuck Schumer.ERIK S LESSER/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
Noting that the American dream has over time become less about prosperity and more about achieving simple stability, she continues: “I grew up on the $4.99 salad bar at Sizzler—it may have cost less back then (to be honest, I can’t remember)—but what I do remember was the feeling: I knew how hard my parents worked to afford this because even at five bucks, eating out was something special, and I felt lucky.”
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From her first job at age 13 atLos Angeles’s Humphrey Yogartuntil the time she became a successful actress, Meghan notes that “even [saving money] was a luxury—because usually it was about making ends meet and having enough to pay my rent and put gas in my car.”
Meghan notes that her backstory is like so many others' — but her current circumstance (and the freedom of financial stability) is what set her apart from an average American parent’s experience. This disparity, she believes, is a problem with the way the country treats its parents. It’s
She and Harry, 37, both recently took 20 weeks of parental leave, in line with the policies of their Archewell Foundation.
In a lineHillary Clintonsingled out to sum up Meghan’s"compelling"argument, the Duchess emphasizes, “No family should be faced with these decisions. No family should have to choose between earning a living and having the freedom to take care of their child (or a loved one, or themselves, as we would see with a comprehensive paid leave plan).”
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.Taylor Hill/WireImage
Alluding to the paid parental and family leave policies at the heart ofPresident Joe Biden’s Build Back Better agenda, which is now facing pushback in the Senate ahead of a vote this week, Meghan affirms, “I’m writing to you on behalf of millions of American families whoareusing their voices to say that comprehensive paid leave should not be a place to compromise or negotiate.”
“The families you represent need your strong leadership,” she urges Speaker Pelosi, 81, and Leader Schumer, 70. “Paid leave should be a national right, rather than a patchwork option.”
While acknowledging the “politically charged” nature of this conversation, she writes, “this isn’t about Right or Left, it’s about right or wrong. This is about putting families above politics.”
She concludes, “So, on behalf of my family, Archie and Lili and Harry, I thank you for considering this letter, and on behalf of all families, I ask you to ensure this consequential moment is not lost.”
Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and Archie.DOMINIC LIPINSKI/AFP via Getty
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source: people.com
