Meghan Markle Tells Marie Claire About Why She's Voting

cape town, south africa september 25 uk out for 28 days meghan, duchess of sussex visits the african not for profit organisation mothers2mothers during the royal tour of south africa on september 25, 2019 in cape town, south africa the organisation trains and employs women living with hiv as frontline health workers across eight african nations photo by poolsamir husseinwireimage

(Image credit: Karwai Tang)

last updated 28 September 2021

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, joined Michelle Obama, Gabrielle Union, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Hillary Clinton, and 95 other influential women in speaking to Marie Claire about why she'll utilize her vote in the November 2020 elections (opens in new tab). Sharing a powerful quote from New Zealand suffragist Kate Sheppard, Meghan reflected on her own experiences of having her voice both heard and ignored, and paid tribute to the many civil rights activists who risked their lives to win others the right to vote.

"I know what it's like to have a voice, and also what it's like to feel voiceless," Meghan said. "I also know that so many men and women have put their lives on the line for us to be heard. And that opportunity, that fundamental right, is in our ability to exercise our right to vote and to make all of our voices heard."

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"One of my favorite quotes, and one that my husband and I have referred to often, is from Kate Sheppard, a leader in the suffragist movement in New Zealand, who said, 'Do not think your single vote does not matter much. The rain that refreshes the parched ground is made up of single drops,'" Meghan continued. "That is why I vote."

Emily Dixon is a British journalist who’s contributed to CNN, Teen Vogue, Time, Glamour, The Guardian, Wonderland, The Big Roundtable, Bust, and more, on everything from mental health to fashion to political activism to feminist zine collectives. She’s also a committed Beyoncé, Kacey Musgraves, and Tracee Ellis Ross fan, an enthusiastic but terrible ballet dancer, and a proud Geordie lass.