In a surprising turn of events, feminist icon Gloria Steinem has reportedly decided to withdraw the Women of Vision Award from Meghan Markle and her husband, Prince Harry.
This decision comes on the heels of what many are calling a disastrous appearance by the couple at the awards ceremony hosted by the Ms. Foundation, an organization dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by women, particularly women of color and those living in poverty.
The Women of Vision Award was intended to celebrate Markle as a feminist advocate and global role model.
However, recent revelations about her minimal involvement with the Archewell Foundation have raised eyebrows.
Tax filings reveal that Markle and her husband only logged one hour of work each per week in 2021—just 52 hours for the entire year.
This level of commitment hardly aligns with the ideals of hard work and dedication that the award seeks to honor.
Critics argue that the ceremony became overshadowed by Markle’s penchant for portraying herself as a victim.
Instead of focusing on the event’s purpose, she appeared to use the platform to further her narrative, which many believe undermined the integrity of the Ms. Foundation.
The awards, designed to shine a light on significant contributions to women’s rights, were instead turned into a stage for personal promotion.
Sources close to the awards organizers have indicated that Steinem’s withdrawal of the award is likely due to the negative attention generated by Markle’s actions during the event.
Observers noted that Markle’s approach seemed more about self-aggrandizement than genuine support for the cause.
The incident raises questions about the true intentions behind such high-profile awards and whether they risk being co-opted for personal agendas.
Markle’s history of leveraging public appearances for her own benefit is well-documented.
From writing messages on bananas for s workers to lamenting her royal status during a trip to Africa, her actions often seem to prioritize her narrative over the issues at hand.
Critics assert that these moments detract from meaningful discussions about women’s rights and social justice.
Furthermore, Markle’s previous engagements, including her podcast and awards received for highlighting structural racism within the royal family, have led some to view her as someone who capitalizes on relationships for personal gain.
This latest incident with Steinem appears to be another example of her tendency to overshadow collective efforts with her individual story.
The fallout from this event has sparked conversations about the role of celebrity in activism.
Many are questioning whether figures like Markle can authentically contribute to movements aimed at uplifting marginalized voices when their actions appear self-serving.
The Ms. Foundation, which has long been a champion for women’s rights, now faces scrutiny regarding its association with the Sussexes.
As the dust settles, it seems that both Markle and Harry are grappling with a growing perception of irrelevance, particularly after the spotlight shone brightly on other royals during recent events.
Their attempts to reclaim attention through controversy may backfire, leaving them further estranged from the very causes they claim to represent.
With Steinem’s decision to revoke the award, it is evident that there are limits to the tolerance for behavior that detracts from the mission of promoting women’s rights.
The fallout serves as a reminder that even high-profile figures must remain accountable to the values they espouse.
As the conversation continues, many are left wondering about the future of the Sussexes and their place within the broader narrative of activism and feminism.
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