To coincide with the first day of Women’s History Month, the Duchess of Sussex‘s Archewell Foundation has announced it will
be giving a grant to one of Meghan’s longstanding patronages – Smart Works.
The Duchess became patron of the UK charity in January 2019, which helps
to give women the confidence they need to reach their full potential, secure
employment and change the trajectory of their lives.
Archewell Foundation‘s support will help enable the creation of a
vital upcoming research project for Smart Works, focusing on the data around
female unemployment in the UK and the challenges faced by the women the charity
supports.
The Smart Works Female Unemployment Index will look at unemployment
issues that affect women across the UK, with the aim of creating an annual
benchmark against which progress and change can be tracked. The project will
get underway in the next several months and is expected to be published late
in 2022.
Kate Stephens, CEO, Smart Works said: “We are so grateful to
Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex and Archewell Foundation for their steadfast
support of Smart Works’ mission and continued growth.
“Whether in person or remote, we are dedicated to providing women
with the tools they need to feel confident at such a critical moment in their
lives, and the research we are undertaking will shine a light on the challenges
they face.”
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The Duchess at the launch of the Smart Set capsule clothing collection in 2019
In September 2019, Meghan launched a special capsule clothing
collection with the charity –
‘The Smart Set’ – in collaboration with Marks & Spencer, Jigsaw, John Lewis
and Misha Nonoo. For every item that was purchased, one was donated to the
charity, allowing customers to help empower and support other women and play a
part in their success story. The Duchess announced this initiative when she
guest-edited British Vogue’s September issue that year, using that platform to
highlight the charity and its work.
Meghan also mentored a young woman via video call ahead of an interview
for an internship in April 2020, as Smart Works adapted its services during the
height of the pandemic.
And to mark International Women’s Day last year, the Duchess wrote
personal notes to a number of Smart Works’ clients to send her best wishes for
their interviews or to offer a heartfelt congratulation on landing new roles.
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The Duchess helped to style a client during a visit to Smart Works’ HQ
Through Smart Works, clients receive an outfit and styling consultation
free of charge as well as a one-on-one session with an interview coach. Smart
Works has a strong history of success, with 69 percent of clients securing a
job within a month of their coaching session. Once employed, Smart Works women
receive a capsule wardrobe that lasts until their first pay packet.
Archewell Foundation will also be announcing additional investments in
leading non-profit organizations working to advance gender equity,
including National Women’s Law Center, The 19th, and The Center on Poverty and Inequality, Georgetown University Law Center.
