Meghan Markle Will Head to Texas This Week for SXSW Panel with Katie Couric and Brooke Shields

The Duchess of Sussex will take the mic on International Women's Day in a panel titled "Breaking Barriers, Shaping Narratives: How Women Lead On and Off the Screen"

Meghan Markle has something special planned for International Women’s Day.

On Monday, the SXSW Conference announced that the Duchess of Sussex, 42, will participate in the Opening Day Keynote Panel later this week. The 38th conference celebrating the convergence of technology, film, television and music kicks off Friday in Austin, Texas, and runs until March 14.

Meghan is set to join a panel called "Breaking Barriers, Shaping Narratives: How Women Lead On and Off the Screen” alongside Katie Couric, Brooke Shields and Nancy Wang Yuen, an author, sociologist, pop culture expert and diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant at Peoplism. The conversation will be moderated by Errin Haines, host of The Amendment podcast and founding mother and editor-at-large for The 19th News.

“Women’s representation in media and entertainment has come a long way, but there’s still much to be done, especially for women of color and mothers. Social media’s omnipresence has raised the stakes, creating an often dangerous environment which has led to serious mental health issues for teenage girls in particular,” said the release about the keynote.

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The group including Meghan, Couric and Shields was described as “visionary female leaders at the forefront of news, media, entertainment, and philanthropy who are breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes, and working toward a healthier society on and off our screens.” The Duchess of Sussex was shouted out as a feminist, champion of human rights and gender equity and co-founder of The Archewell Foundation, among other accolades.

"Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, Katie Couric, Brooke Shields, Nancy Wang Yuen and Errin Haines are the perfect finishing touch to eight days of remarkable Keynote Speakers," Hugh Forrest, Co-President and Chief Programming Officer of SXSW, said in a statement. "We are so honored to host this distinguished group on International Women’s Day for a significant discussion on the importance of representation in media and entertainment."

The news was also shared on the new Sussex.com website Meghan recently launched with her husband Prince Harry, which features a log of their latest activities plus links to their Archewell Foundation organization and Archewell Productions hub. The Duchess of Sussex’s online bio highlights that her “lifelong advocacy for women and girls remains a constant thread in her humanitarian and business ventures,” making the upcoming panel appearance a natural fit.

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Last year, Meghan spent International Women's Day supporting an organization that helps expectant mothers and their children.

On March 8 in 2023, the Duchess of Sussex and members of the Archewell Foundation visited Los Angeles-based charity Harvest Home. The group created a pop-up baby boutique, hosted lunch from a female-owned restaurant and made a donation to the charity, which helps provide housing, mental well-being support and classes to expectant mothers who have faced challenges such as domestic violence, substance use and homelessness. Since it was established in 1985, Harvest Home has supported over 600 women and their children.

"Happy International Women's day to all of you! Whether donating your time, funds or helping a woman in your community, let's all celebrate the women in our lives today and every day!" said a message on the Archewell Foundation website.

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Meghan and Prince Harry, 39, traditionally celebrate International Women's Day with acts of service, from sending treats to the Hubb Community Kitchen (which Meghan worked with as they created a cookbook to raise funds following the Grenville Tower fire in 2017) to visiting a school for their special International Women's Day assembly.

In 2019, while pregnant with her son Prince Archie, Meghan participated in a panel discussion for International Women's Day. During the event, she said, "We must be global feminists and include men and boys."

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