There’s no denying that when it comes to advocating for others, Meghan Markle is a master. Whether it’s offering words of support or publicly supporting issues that are yet to be addressed—or even fighting for her own rights within the royal family—the Duchess of Sussex has now focused her attention on those fighting for paid family leave.
Markle, who has recently honed in on her philanthropic efforts, gifted workers at the Paid Leave for the U.S.—who are currently campaigning for paid family and medical leave—a USD $25 gift voucher for Starbucks through her and Prince Harry’s Archewell Foundation, as per the Daily Mail.
Neil Sroka, the director of communications for the group, shared a photo of the gift card that he received from the Duchess, which was signed by Archewell and included a short message from Meghan, saying, “Just a little something to keep you going. Thank you for all that you do.”
“The Duchess of Sussex (aka #MeghanMarkle) bought everyone at @PaidLeaveUS a few cups of coffee while we’re working overtime to #SavePaidLeave. Unbelievably classy… and necessary. Truly honoured to know she has our backs in the fight to win,” Sroka wrote.
According to NBC journalist Kristen Welker, Meghan also thanked US senators, Murray and Gillibrand, for their work in advocating for the workers’ paid leave in Congress.
“Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, emailed Sens. Murray and Gillibrand to thank them for pushing for paid family leave and to urge them to keep fighting, according to officials in both Senate offices,” Welker wrote.
However, the Duchess’ gesture to help those fighting for their rights was far from her first token of appreciation for their work . Merely days ago, she penned an open letter to Congress to advocate for nationally mandated paid leave for American parents, according to Paid Leave for All.
Within her letter, Meghan shared what it was like to welcome her second child, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, with Prince Harry, adding that her financial circumstances helped offer a plethora of ease and opportunities that other families are simply not able to access.
“In June, my husband and I welcomed our second child. Like any parents, we were overjoyed. Like many parents, we were overwhelmed. Like fewer parents, we weren’t confronted with the harsh reality of either spending those first few critical months with our baby or going back to work,” she wrote.
“We knew we could take her home, and in that vital (and sacred) stage, devote any and everything to our kids and to our family. We knew that by doing so we wouldn’t have to make impossible choices about childcare, work, and medical care that so many have to make every single day.
“No family should be faced with these decisions,” Meghan added.
“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).”
