>
Meghan Markle has been named a ‘trailblazer’ by Hello magazine in their ‘Kind List’ for 2022.
The Duchess of Sussex, 41, has appeared alongside Dame Deborah James and Michelle Obama as part of the publication’s efforts to “shine a light on the most inspiring people” in the world ahead of World Kindness Day on Sunday.
Other persons included in the category ‘precursor’ are Kelsey Parker, Elizabeth Hurley, Dr. Zoe Williams, the Duchess of York and Malala Yousafzai.
Although the mother of two was not on the list last year, Hello said Meghan is a “voice for women everywhere” and claimed that “female empowerment is at the heart of everything she does.”
The Duchess – who stepped down as a senior working royal in January 2020 – has been chosen for this particular category thanks to her ongoing campaign to give women in the US access to paid leave.
The publication also praised Meghan for publicly supporting Iranian-American members of her Archewell team by donning a “Women, Life, Freedom” T-shirt last month.
The Duchess of Sussex, 41, was dubbed a ‘trailblazer’ by Hello magazine for putting the mother of two on their Child List for 2022. Pictured modeling for Variety magazine last month
Dame Deborah James – pictured before she died tragically in June 2022 – is included in the same category as the Duchess
Michelle Obama was also featured in Hello magazine’s “trailblazer” category for their annual Kind List
Jessica Yellin, founder of News Not Noise, told the magazine that she met the Duchess this summer at a Gloria Steinhem meeting on women’s rights.
She said: ‘[I have] impressed by her candor, vulnerability and determination to improve the lives of women around the world. She so deserves this recognition.’
Meanwhile, Hannah Mendoza — co-founder of the oat milk latte business the Duchess invested in in December 2020 — shared how Meghan has personally supported her.
The businesswoman added: “When she first told me as a female entrepreneur, with unshakable confidence, ‘I believe in you and I believe in what you are building’, it became something I could turn to. grab when, in moments, the hill feels too big to climb.’
The magazine referred to Meghan supporting Iranian-American members of her Archewell team by wearing a “Women, Life, Freedom” T-shirt last month.
Clevr Blends CEO and co-founder Hannah Mendoza was asked to comment on Meghan’s nomination. Clevr Blends CEO and Co-Founder Hannah Mendoza. The Duchess invested in the oat latte start-up last year
Meghan Markle chose to nominate Kate Stephens (pictured), the CEO of Smart Works – the organization she has worked with since 2018
In total, the magazine has eight categories in their genre list in the music, entertainment and sports industries.
For Dame Deborah’s position, the publication spoke to Genevieve Edwards, the Chief Executive of Bowel Cancer UK, and Harkness Rose Company, who have created a special flower in memory of the mother of two.
Both organisations, which worked closely with Dame Deborah before she passed away in June, praised the cancer activist as an ‘source of inspiration’ after she raised £6.75 million for life-changing research.
Oprah Winfrey – who was famous for an explosive interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2021 – appeared in the TV Stars category of the Kind List, while Michelle Obama was hailed as an “overwhelmingly passionate and inspiring leader” within the ” trailblazer’ selection of individuals.
Prince Harry appears in the royal category along with his father King Charles, the Queen Consort, the Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess Charlene of Monaco and the late Queen.
On the occasion of Harry’s nomination, Hello spoke with BetterUp founder Alexi Robichaux, who hired Duke as its chief impact officer for the $4.7 billion mental health start-up last year.
The businessman praised the father of two for his “kindness, authenticity and leadership” in his role that “inspired many to seek the support they need to live healthier and more fulfilling lives.”
To mark the third year of their species list, the magazine has introduced a new ‘Inspiration’ category – for which the Duke and Duchess of Sussex both nominated two individuals.
For her nomination, Meghan chose Kate Stephens, the CEO of Smart Works – an organization she has worked closely with since she married the royal family in 2018.
BetterUp founder Alexi Robichaux (pictured with the Duke last month) praised Prince Harry for the ‘kindness, authenticity and leadership’ he displays in his role as BetterUp’s Chief Impact Officer
Prince Harry chose to also put forward Baroness Beeban Kidron in the ‘Inspiration’ category. The filmmaker – who received an OBE in 2012 – is the founder of 5Rights Foundation
With a team of 300 trained volunteers, Smart Works helps the long-term unemployed and vulnerable women regain the skills, confidence and tools to succeed in interviews, return to work and transform their lives.
Part of the organization’s job is to provide smart workwear for women during job interviews.
In September 2019, the Duchess – who was still living in the UK at the time – released a ‘Smart Set’ capsule collection with UK retailers M&S and Jigsaw.
Meghan described how Kate shows “beautiful kindness in action,” saying, “The ability to walk into a room feeling like you’re at your best should be a right, not a luxury. Under Kate’s inspiring leadership, the Smart Works team provides meaningful coaching, community and workwear, empowering women in need with the resources and confidence to make lasting change in their lives.”
Additionally, Prince Harry chose to put Baroness Beeban Kidron forward in the “Inspiration” category as well.
Looking back on the first time they met, the Duke said he was struck by her “passion, perseverance and kindness.”
The filmmaker – who received an OBE in 2012 – is the founder of 5Rights Foundation, an organization dedicated to protecting children on the internet.
Baroness Kidron is also a partner of Archewell, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s charitable foundation, which they founded after moving to Montecito, California in 2020.