Meghan Markle gives Starbucks gift cards to ‘paid family leave’ activists

Meghan Markle has surprised activists fighting for paid family leave in the United States with a $25 Starbuck sgift card as a token of gratitude for the ongoing work they are doing.

The nonprofit organisation PL+US has an aim by 2022 to get paid family and medical leave for everyone in the United States and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex treated staff with a free caffeine boost through their own nonprofit organisation, the Archewell Foundation.

It seems the token was much appreciated, after communication director at PL+US, Neil Sroka took to Twitter to thank Meghan for her gift and posted a screenshot of his gift card from the Archewell Foundation.

The message read: “Hi there,

Just a little something to keep you going. Thank you for all that you do.

From: Archewell”

Sroka tweeted: “The Duchess of Sussex (aka #MeghanMarkle) bought everyone at @PaidLeaveUS a few cups of coffee while we’re working overtime to #SavePaidLeave. Unbelievably classy... and necessary. Truly honored to know she has our backs in the fight to win #PaidLeaveForAll.”

Meghan herself has been vocal in her support for paid leave and last month advocated for the policy in an open letter to the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

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In the letter published by Paid Leave for All, she noted her own personal struggles growing up “on the $4.99 salad bar at Sizzler” and also recalled when she struggled to make “enough to pay my rent and put gas in my car” when she was younger.

She also acknowledged how fortunate she and the Duke were that they “weren’t confronted with the harsh reality of either spending those first few critical months with our baby or going back to work,” after their two children Archie, two, and Lilibet who was born earlier this year.

“I’m not an elected official, and I’m not a politician. I am, like many, an engaged citizen and a parent,” she wrote.

“Paid leave should be a national right, rather than a patchwork option limited to those whose employers have policies in place, or those who live in one of the few states where a leave program exists,” Meghan explained.

“If we’re going to create a new era of family first policies, let’s make sure that includes a strong paid leave program for every American that’s guaranteed, accessible, and encouraged without stigma or penalty.”