Meghan Markle delivered her first speech as the Duchess of Sussex on Tuesday during her and Prince Harry’s royal tour of Fiji, where she spoke at the University of the South Pacific in Suva about the importance of receiving a higher education. While speaking to the group of students, she revealed that she actually put herself through college.
Markle graduated from Northwestern University in May 2003, where she double-majored in theater and international studies, and was a recruitment chairwoman of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, according to the Chicago Tribune.
“Everyone should be afforded the opportunity to receive the education they want, but more importantly the education they have the right to receive. And for women and girls in developing countries, this is vital.” — The Duchess of Sussex at @UniSouthPacific #RoyalVisitFiji pic.twitter.com/ZWXxiBNcEY
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) October 24, 2018
“It was through scholarships, financial aid programs and work-study where my earnings from a job on campus went directly towards my tuition,” she said.
Markle then continued, emphasizing the importance of education particularly for women.
“Everyone should be afforded the opportunity to receive the education they want, but more importantly the education they have the right to receive” Markle states. “And for women and girls in developing countries, this is vital. Providing them with access to education is the key to economic and social development. Because when girls are given the right tools for them to succeed, they can create incredible futures, not only for themselves but also for those around them.”
Duchess Meghan’s speech in full… pic.twitter.com/PUMwC30jwF
— Omid Scobie (@scobie) October 23, 2018
She announced that two new grants will be awarded to Fiji National University and the University of the South Pacific on behalf of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, which will help female students participate in workshops in pursuit of their degrees.
“This means that female faculty members are able to encourage others to follow in their footsteps and enter higher-education, and that more women become part of the decision-making process in academic institutions,” she continued.
Meghan Markle is such an inspiration to women everywhere, AND she worked to pay for her tuition? She’s my role model.