Meghan Markle sent an encouraging message to women as she urged them to "be the visionary of your own life".
The Duchess of Sussex used her acceptance speech at the Ms Foundation's Women of Vision Awards to encourage people it's "never too late to start".
Speaking to the audience as she accepted the award in New York on Tuesday, Meghan said: "It's just never too late to start. You can be the visionary of your own life.
"You can charter a path in which what you repeat in your daily acts of service, in kindness, in advocacy, in grace and in fairness, that those become the very things that are recognised by the next wave of women, both young and old who will also choose this moment to join the movement, and make our vision for an equitable world, reality."
The actress also told the audience how when she was younger, she would come home from school and see Ms Foundation's Ms Magazine on the coffee table every day.
"It's funny because as a young girl, I would come home, I would settle in after a day of school, pull up my TV tray dinner, and I would turn on my evening ritual, Jeopardy!
"And I would glance at the coffee table, where I would see an array of things.
"It could be the cat's collar, my homework, some mail that had just been brought in, and some magazines. The magazines said Ms on them."
Elsewhere in her acceptance speech, Meghan paid tribute to one of her close friends and political activist Gloria Steinem, who was giving out the awards.
"While I was familiar with most of your work before tonight, nothing could compare to the focus, the determination, the energy I feel from each of you, especially as we all bear witness to you standing in the elegance and the power of your strength," Meghan said.
Speaking about Ms Foundation, Meghan added: "I am a woman who remains inspired and driven by this organisation.
"It allowed me to recognise that part of my greater value and purpose in life was to advocate for those who felt unheard, to stand up to injustice, and to not be afraid of saying what is true and what is just and what is right."
Meghan was joined by her husband Prince Harry and mother Doria Ragland as she attended the ceremony at the Ziegfeld Ballroom.
The Suits star was the picture of elegance as she wore a stunning gold strapless gown by Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz which has a retail value of $1,850 (£1482).
She paired the dress with strappy gold heels from Tom Ford worth $1,350 (£1,081) and a matching Carolina Herrera clutch bag, priced at $1,100 (£881).
Meghan wore her long dark tresses wavy and over one shoulder to perfectly show off her gold hooped earrings.
Her makeup was flawless as she wore a smoky eye shadow and a nude lip.
Her accolade comes as she was recognised for "her global advocacy to empower and advocate on behalf of women and girls" through her work at her and Prince Harry's Archewell Foundation.
A report earlier this year showed that Harry and Meghan had raised $13million (£10million) and given away $3million (£2.4million) to charitable causes through Archewell.
The charitable foundation was set up after Meghan and Harry stepped down from their royal roles.
Reports earlier this year showed the causes that have been helped by the money they have donated since it was founded in 2020, which include Covid vaccines and Afghan refugees.
Other awardees at the 50th anniversary celebration of the annual gala include Black Voters Matter co-founder LaTosha Brown, as well as emerging leaders abortion rights activist Olivia Julianna and LGBTQ+ advocate Rebekah Bruesehoff.
When announcing the honours list, Ms. Foundation's president and CEO, Teresa C. Younger, said: "Meghan, LaTosha, Wanda, Kimberly, Olivia, and Rebekah are incredible leaders.
"We are grateful to be able to shine a light on their many accomplishments and tireless work on behalf of gender and racial equity across the country and the world."
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