ONE TITLE FOR WOMEN

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20782, 17 July 1937, Page 11 (Supplement)

ONE TITLE FOR WOMEN

MOVEMENT TO ABOLISH “MRS” AND “MISS” A movement to abolish the title of "Mrs.” and “Miss” for women, on the grounds that it is an unfair distinction, has been started in London. The or- ■ iginator of the idea is Mrs F. PethickLawrence, wife of the Socialist MP. for Leicesterchire. She was a leader of the suffragette movement in its early days. The term “Mrs” and “Miss” ' are unnecessary she feels because bachelor girls who scorn marriage for I careers see no reason why they should advertise their single state when they are introduced to business clients. 1 Similarly, some married women object to being called “Mrs” on the prounds that it destroys their individuality. The proper way to address every

woman over the age of 21, Mrs Pethick-Lawrence feels, is by the title “Madam.”

A strong supporter of her views is Miss A. M. Pierotti, assistant secretary of the National Union of Women Teachers. It would save a lot of trouble, she has stated in an interview, if women could find some common title equivalent to Mr.

Mrs Despard, the veteran suffragette and first president of the Women’s Freedom League, would, I feel, have much to say in support of such a common title.

This courageous old lady is now over 90 years old. For the past 25 years

she has celebrated her birthday on June 15 with her suffragette allies nt Caxton Hall. This year she has been ■’ , and so was unable to travel to London for the reception. Nevertheless the party was held just the same and a roll of homage, signed by all her admirers, will be sent to her in July

Among thore who signed at the party were Mrs Pethick-Lawrence herself, Mrs Corbet Ashby, Miss Margaret Bondfield, Mr George Lansbury, Dame Rachel Crowdy, Miss Cicely Hamilton, Miss Harriet Cohen, the famous pianist, Miss Vera Brittan, author cf "Testament of Youth,” and Miss Violet Vanbrugh, the stage star whose 50th year of performance has just been celebrated by an anniversary luncheon.