The debate over honorifics has resurfaced following the death of American feminist Sheila Michaels, who popularised the term 'Ms'. Unlike 'Miss' and 'Mrs', 'Ms' does not indicate a woman's marital status, a feature many women now prefer.
Helen Hall, 51, from Scarborough, UK, uses 'Ms' because she finds 'Miss' undignified beyond age 25 and resents revealing her marital status. She notes that organisations often address her as 'Mrs Hall' but she does not always correct them.
Jennie Jonasson, 51, from Montreal, Canada, describes 'Mrs' and 'Miss' as 'dinosaur terms' from the 'Downton Abbey era'. She once returned an invoice addressed to 'Mr and Mrs' with the marital title scratched out.
Geraldine Downer, 40, from Mexico City, is married but uses 'Ms' because she has not adopted her husband's surname. In Mexico, changing one's surname upon marriage is not obligatory.
Francine Morris, 48, from Salford, UK, has used 'Miss', 'Mrs', and 'Ms' at different times. After earning a PhD, she now uses 'Dr', but finds that people often assume 'Dr Morris' is a man.
Wendy Jo Gertjejanssen, 50, from Minnesota, US, has used 'Ms' since her early twenties. She finds it insulting that a woman would be considered a possession of her husband, and notes frustration with European airlines that do not offer 'Ms' as an option.
