Ms. Martha Stewart

Factual Questions
1

[Dear Cecil:]

Actually, I was faced with this question some time ago. It was the administration of Pres. George W. Bush. And Martha Stewart was charged with stock fraud. So I wanted to send her a letter of support.

But I just couldn’t it figure out. Was it “Mrs. Stewart” or “Miss Stewart”?

I realize when women become famous in their own right, they retain the title “Miss”, especially when they are still using their maiden name. But therein lies the problem, you see. “Stewart” is Martha’s married name. (She apparently married a man named “Stewart”.)

Anyways, I just titled my email “Ms” and left it at that. But the question remains, is Ms. Stewart a Miss or a Mrs.? And of course, it must be asked, which title does Martha prefer? But as I said, it is a somewhat technical question too, for other similar situations.

(Oh, and BTW, I never did get a reply from Martha [so no help there]. But I later heard her say on TV that she read every email her supporters sent her, and she really appreciated it. Wasn’t that nice of her?)

[Jim B.]

Well, there is the question I send to Mr. Adams. Now what do the rest of you have to say:)?

2

Keep in mind that Stewart is her married name, so Miss is inappropriate. But she got divorced in 1990. So I doubt she would appreciate being called Mrs. So probably Ms would be best.

3

Are you sure about this rule? Because it’s the first time I’ve heard this.

4

In metro-Detroit, where I live, local celebrities, John Kelly and Marilyn Turner were married. Yet, on their morning talk show, she was referred to in the credits as “Miss Turner”. I have heard it a couple of other places too. But I can’t recall yet just where.

5

How long ago was she was referred to in credits as “Miss Turner”? That sounds like something you might have done a hundred years ago.

6

The weekday maid and the kitchen help have always referred to her as Miss Turner.

7

Ms. is always correct.
Mrs. is something I use for women who are elderly, old-fashioned, and are in their husband’s shadow.
Miss I haven’t used for anyone for thirty or forty years. Might use it for a formal invitation or a slightly ironic address to a girl under the age of twelve.

Even in H.W.'s time I would have used Ms.

8

It’s not a rule, it’s a custom, and not a particularly firm one, at that.

When I lived in the small-town South, it was appropriate to call older, unmarried women “Miss.”

Some women prefer the title “Mrs.” even when they aren’t “elderly, old-fashioned, and are in their husband’s shadow.”

Ms. has become customary for adult women unless the woman herself chooses to be addressed by a different title.

9

Off-topic but just to clarify, Stewart was not charged with securities fraud but rather with lying to federal investigators (who were looking into allegations of securities fraud).

10

Here in Texas, she would be “Miz Martha”.

11

The proper way to address someone is how that person wishes to be addressed. If you don’t know, “Ms. Surname” is generally safe for women.

As far as I know, there is no general rule that famous women are called “Miss” even after marriage. In Marilyn Turner’s case, I’m sure the credit as “Miss Turner” was worked out between her and the show. For whatever reason, she wanted to be know that way, and they accommodated her.

The name of a celebrity is a brand. Changing one’s name is like changing the name of a product or company. That could be why Marilyn Turner wanted to keep that billing after she got married. Lauren Bacall never changed her name to Lauren Bogart, at least not publicly.

I think under the circumstances, “Ms. Stewart” was the best way to address her.

12

How about Inmate Stewart #55170-054?

13

In speech, especially when less formal, there is often no distinction for the various female titles.

14

I always use mrs. for a married woman
Miss for a single woman
Ms for a woman that your not sure on