Meghan Markle Should Not Be Considered a Notable Alumna

Having applied to Northwestern University as an International Studies major, I had learned through my college search that Meghan Markle, known as a TV actress on “Suits” and as an ambassador to World Vision at the time, had also studied at Northwestern, majoring in International Studies and Theatre.

Two days after I had completed my application for Northwestern, on November 17, 2016, Markle gave a speech before the United Nations’ secretary general Ban Ki Moon, regarding gender equality as she had also worked as an advocate for UN Women.

Dreaming of working at the United Nations someday, I became even more interested in Markle after my acceptance to Northwestern. Not only did my future at Northwestern make my career goals seem possible, but Markle, as an alum, had shown that my dreams were feasible.

Researching Markle, I had learned that she secured an internship with the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires during her time at Northwestern. Except for her double-major in Theatre, I began to view Meghan Markle as a reference source or blueprint for my plan to work in diplomacy.

I was fascinated by Meghan and her ability to acquire success in both the entertainment industry and in humanitarianism. (There’s room here for a #ANDIsInOurDNA joke that I’m not funny enough to think of) Still, despite having made a name for herself as both an actress and humanitarian, Markle was not listed as a notable alum on Google or Wikipedia.

And yes, I also found it interesting that Meghan had recently become romantically linked to Prince Harry. Most Northwestern students and alumni—and ordinary Americans—can’t deny that it’s thrilling seeing an American and former Wildcat now involved with British royalty.

It’s the emphasis on her relationship’s contribution to her status as an alumni that is, however, problematic.

Fast-forward two years from my college process, not only is Meghan now the Duchess of Sussex, but she is now featured as a notable alumni of Northwestern University on Google and Wikipedia. The Google feature could be an algorithmic result, while Wikipedia’s feature has been deliberately added.

Headlines from the University, including “From Wildcat to royal family” and “Northwestern Alumni Celebrate the Royal Wedding” demonstrate how her alma mater is now capitalizing on her romantic “success” as well.

What’s worse is the way I have heard current students and friends, who are usually women, talk about the way in which they aspire to be Meghan.

“So this means we could be princesses?”

“No,” I respond, “this means we could be successful actresses, humanitarians, and diplomats through a commitment to hard work.”

Again, while it is thrilling to know that you are attending or working for the same college as living royalty, acknowledging Meghan as a notable alumni because of her relationship status rather than based on the merit of her work and professional success is, in actuality, demeaning and sexist.

I admired Meghan for her work before she was a Duchess, but I would also switch to the pre-royalty track if I could. There is nothing wrong with alumni, current students, or the University as an institution boasting connection to Meghan because of her royal status as long as she is not remembered because of it.

Meghan Markle is not notable because of who she is married to. She is notable because, at the age of 11, she had changed the language of a sexist TV ad. Because she worked in Rwanda with the World Vision Clean Water Campaign. Because she was selected as an UN Women’s Advocate. Because she persevered racism in the entertainment industry and landed Suits. Because she is outspoken about domestic and international racism, gender inequality, poverty and education, among other things.

While Meghan will most likely make important and positive change as royalty, her marriage status should not be what moves her to the “List of Notable Alumni.” The wrongful focus on Meghan’s relationship with Prince Harry, instead of her many accomplishments, in the awarding of her notable alumni status will surely perpetuate the ongoing and toxic theme throughout history of women being recorded, remembered, and ultimately reduced to their romantic connections to men.