Meghan Markle pens inspiring essay about activism as 'Duchess of Sussex'

Meghan Markle dusted off her typewriter and tapped into her inner blogger for a powerful feature piece for Town & Country magazine.

Titled “Meghan, Duchess of Sussex Interviews Altadena Girls Founder Avery Colbert About Fighting Fire With Empathy and Activism,” the article was published on Wednesday, October 28. 

Writing as “The Duchess of Sussex,” Meghan interviews 15-year-old activist Avery Colvert, founder of Altadena Girls — a relief group helping teens rebuild their lives after California’s Eaton Canyon Fire earlier this year.

Meghan writes in her essay, “Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, a native of the city, was one of many people moved by Avery’s mission, and she joined volunteers to organize and distribute to families who needed them the most.”

Meghan, 44, was among the hundreds and thousands of responders to Colvert’s call for help, offering supplies and support. The Archewell foundation she shares with her husband Prince Harry also contributed.

While interviewing Colvert, Meghan told the teen founder, “I was so moved by the way you mobilized… It was amazing to watch the original idea, which was to help young girls, end up filling a need that was so much greater.”

Colbert was only 14 when she evacuated her home as the LA wildfires ravaged her neighbourhood, including her school. Reflecting on the formation of Altadena Girls, Colvert recalled, “I wanted to find a way to restore a sense of normalcy in [girls’] lives so they could feel like themselves again.”

Altadena Girls has since distributed more than a million items and opened a community center in Pasadena on International Day of the Girl.