The country’s oldest women’s foundation, the Ms. Foundation, said on Monday that Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and LaTosha Brown, a co-founder of Black Voters Matter, will each receive the Women of Vision Award in May.
At the Ms. Foundation’s annual gala, which will be held on May 16 in New York City’s Ziegfeld Ballroom as part of its 50th anniversary celebration and where money is generated for the organization’s equity-centered activities, the awards will be presented.
Along with these individuals, the foundation will recognize emerging leaders Olivia Julianna, an advocate for abortion rights, and Rebekah Bruesehoff, an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Wanda Irving, a co-founder of Dr. Shalon’s Maternal Action Project, and Kimberly Inez McGuire, the executive director of URGE, will also receive recognition.
“Meghan, LaTosha, Wanda, Kimberly, Olivia, and Rebekah are incredible leaders,” Teresa C. Younger, Ms. Foundation president and CEO, said in a statement. “We are grateful to be able to shine a light on their many accomplishments and tireless work on behalf of gender and racial equity across the country and the world.”
Meghan will receive the award for “her global advocacy to empower and advocate on behalf of women and girls” from Gloria Steinem, Ms. Foundation co-founder. With her husband, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan directs their philanthropy through their Archewell Foundation.
According to its 2022 annual report, the organization provided 12.66 million COVID-19 vaccines with partner Global Citizen and helped resettle nearly 175,000 refugees from Ukraine and Afghanistan in the United States with partner Welcome.US. The foundation also helped build a community play space in Uvalde, Texas, following the school shooting there that killed 19 children and two teachers.
Brown will receive her award for “her tireless activism and work to bring about social change” through Black Voters Matter, which works with communities to make their voting more effective. According to the group’s most recent impact report, the Black Voters Matter Fund now works with more than 400 partners in 25 states and the District of Columbia. The Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute funds voter education, registrations and other programs to expand access to voting.
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