Meghan Markle and Gloria Steinem have sit-down chat about importance of voting

Meghan Markle and Gloria Steinem have spent much of their adult lives advocating for equality and the women are ramping up their efforts in anticipation of the upcoming November election in the U.S. Earlier this month, Markle and Steinem sat down in the backyard of Markle’s new Santa Barbara home she shares with husband Prince Harry and son Archie to discuss why it’s so integral for people to get and cast their ballot.Coming together for an exclusive backyard chat for Makers Women, a sneak peek of the full interview opens with Steinem welcoming the L.A. native back home. "I'm so glad that you're home,” adds Steinem, prompting Markle to reply, "Me too, for so many reasons."Markle touched on Steinem’s extensive work and experience in activism, telling the journalist, "People forget how hard women like you and so many others before you fought for us to just be where we are right now.”[video_embed id='2012490']RELATED: ‘Finding Freedom’ reveals hidden details about Harry and Meghan's life together[/video_embed]"If you don't vote, you don't exist," said Steinem, sharing a sentiment that she has been advocating for years. "It is the only place we're all equal, the voting booth."Continuing, Steinem said that her biggest concern with voter turnout is indifference by the younger generation. “What worries me the most are young people, who I understand are the least likely to vote and I can understand the feeling that they don't think they have an impact," said Steinhem. "Yet, it's more important for them to vote than anyone else because they're going to be alive long after I am, and they're going to be suffering the consequences."The clip, which ends with the women sharing their feelings of hopefulness for the future, was crashed by Meghan and Harry’s dogs Guy and Pula, who are naturals on camera.

 

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discuss representation, why each vote matters and how all women “are linked, not ranked." MAKERS has an exclusive look at that historic backyard chat! ? Q&A to come tomorrow.

A post shared by MAKERS Women (@makerswomen) on Aug 25, 2020 at 12:32pm PDT

The Makers Instagram account shared the short snippet of the discussion, which is described as covering “representation, why each vote matters and how all women are linked, not ranked.” The Makers media brand, which shines a spotlight on women’s stories, began in 2004 when founder Dyllan McGee proposed a documentary about Steinem. The activist and journalist turned down the request and said that she would rather be in a project that celebrated multiple women who have championed women’s rights through the decades. The resulting three-part documentary Makers: Women Who Make America was released in 2013 on PBS.Earlier this month, Markle spoke to Marie Claire about why she's voting and making her voice heard."I know what it's like to have a voice, and also what it's like to feel voiceless," said Markle. "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."The Duchess of Sussex also quoted New Zealand suffragist Kate Sheppard."One of my favorite quotes, and one that my husband and I have referred to often . . . is '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." "Do not think your single vote does not matter much. The rain that refreshes the parched ground is made up of single drops.’ "That is why I vote,” said Markle.Also in August, Markle spoke during the Goldman Sachs virtual summit The 19^th Represents. The event, which also included speeches from Democratic VP candidate Kamala Harris, Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, activist Stacey Abrams and actors Zoe Saldana and Meryl Streep, focused on the importance of voting rights.The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have not endorsed any candidates for the upcoming election and appear to be sticking to the royal family’s protocol of supporting the action of voting and not a candidate or party.[video_embed id='2021786']RELATED: Stephan James earns his first Emmy nom for #FreeRayshawn, and Laurence Fishburne wants him to win[/video_embed]