Meghan Markle has a reputation for being pretty right-on: not only is she a self-confessed feminist, but she’s also written countless essays about her experiences with racism. So it’s not surprise that the Suits actress and girlfriend of Prince Harry has very few Hollywood stars on her list of the 10 women who changed her life. In fact, she’s only got one: golden girl and America’s Sweetheart Julia Roberts.
WATCH: Everything You Need To Know About Meghan Markle
Speaking to US Glamour magazine, the actress runs through the female role models who shaped who she is today, with some surprising inclusions on the list. Among those featured are primatologist Dian Fossey, who Markle credits with engaging her interest in animal conservation, Beloved author Toni Morrison and entrepreneur Suhani Jalota, who runs a foundation that helps women make and sell sanitary products in India.
Elsewhere, she praises food activist, restaurateur and chef Alice Waters, whose commitment to locally grown, seasonal food changed the way Markle cooks, as well as ‘Rosie the Riveter, the World War II poster girl who inspired her to write a letter to Procter & Gamble about a sexist advert they ran when she was at school (she got the commercial changed, natch).
Rounding out the top 10 are Bonnie Hammer, the NBC Universal exec who fought her corner to get her cast as Rachel on Suits when the producers wanted a ‘blond-haired, blue-eyed’ actress, musician Joni Mitchell and, of course, her mother Doria of whom she says: ‘She's got dread locks and a nose ring. She just ran the LA Marathon. We can just have so much fun together, and yet, I'll still find so much solace in her support. That duality coexists the same way it would in a best friend.’
All of which confirms one thing: Markle is just as intelligent, thoughtful and conscientious as we had already been led to believe.
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