Meghan’s Letter to Congress | Meghan has partnered up with Paid Leave For All in writing a very powerful letter “As a mom” advocating on behalf of paid leave for all in the US in a letter addressed to Congress.
In her letter, Meghan said she was writing the letter to House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate majority leader Charles Schumer “as a mom” and “on behalf of millions of American families” saying that aid paid leave should be “a national right”.
Meghan reflected on how hard her parents worked and how she herself started working at the age of 13 saying that:
“I grew up on the 4.99-dollar salad bar at Sizzler – it may have cost less back then (to be honest, I can’t remember) – but what I do remember was the feeling: I knew how hard my parents worked to afford this because even at five bucks, eating out was something special, and I felt lucky.
And as a Girl Scout, when my troop would go to dinner for a big celebration, it was back to that same salad bar or The Old Spaghetti Factory because that’s what those families could afford to do too.
I started working (at the local frozen yogurt shop) at the age of 13.
I waited tables, babysat, and piece-mealed jobs together to cover odds and ends.
I worked all my life and saved when and where I could – but even that was a luxury – because usually it was about making ends meet and having enough to pay my rent and put gas in my car.”
Meghan’s family life after giving birth to Lilibeth was also mentioned with her saying:
“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.
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. 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).”
Meghan concluded the letter (Meghan’s Letter to Congress), by writing:
“So, on behalf of my family, Archie and Lili and Harry, I thank you for considering this letter, and on behalf of all families, I ask you to ensure this consequential moment is not lost.”
This is not the first time Meghan has elevated the cause. Back in March it was revealed how both Meghan and Harry surprised a virtual gathering for organization MomsRising. The charity aims to “advocate for women and raise awareness surrounding issues women and mothers are facing.”
The executive director and CEO of MomsRising Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner had some very nice things to say about the Duke and Duchess back then describing how they both left a huge impact on some of their mothers.
She said:
“The meeting with Prince Harry and Meghan was a huge boost for MomsRising members, some of whom are struggling without jobs, childcare, paid leave, health care and other essentials during the pandemic,” said Rowe-Finkbeiner. “The Duke and Duchess were kind, compassionate and incredibly supportive, both on a personal level and of the policies that would help get their lives back on track.”
For those who would like to contribute too – click here