Holiday traditions were meant to be shared, passed down through generations working side-by-side in the kitchen or sharing stories around the living room. But for one group of Afghan women who have resettled in California—many of whom have been separated from their family for years—new memories are being created with friends who understand the complex joy and sadness of celebrating far from home. For Meghan Markle, it’s about empowering these women through a community that celebrates both their heritage and their fresh beginnings.
It’s a Saturday night in Venice Beach, California, and I’m sitting across the table from the Duchess of Sussex as we share dinner with the women of Mina’s List, an organization that empowers women in the fields of politics and human rights, and the Southern California chapter of the Archewell Foundation’s Welcome Project.
