Using Ms. on invitation

[misspugs]

I wonder if someone could help me. We have a few women on our guest list who have been either divorced or widowed for quite a long time-well over 15 years, some as long as 30 years. They still use their married name. Only one is dating semi-seriously. The others not at all. Should I address the envelope Ms. Mary Smith or Mrs. Mary Smith? Thanks for your help:grinhappy:.

[WBandMe]

That's tough, because for people who are divorced it's a preference. My mom has been divorced 21 years and she goes by Mrs. As for widows, they're usually still Mrs. but again, I suppose they could always choose to be Ms.

[hummingbird521]

If you are close enough to them to know what title they go by then use that title. Whether it is Mrs. or Ms. If unsure I would go with Ms. If they are widowed I would use Mrs. on the invites.

[WebLady]

From what I understand 'Ms' is acceptable for both married and non married woman; this is what I would use if I wasn't sure.

Mrs = Married

Miss = Not married

Ms = Generic female

[n8s.girl]

It is so sweet of you to be considerate of their feelings. If it were me, as a divorced woman, I would use Mrs. for the widowed women and Ms. for the divorced women. My logic (whether flawed or not ;) ) is that the divorced women chose to discard the title Mrs. whereas it would seem to me that the widowed ladies probably would not have chosen this. However, technically, I think Ms. is perfectly acceptable for both situations. Good luck to you!

[bichonlvr]

To be on the safe side I would just go with Ms. It can be used for ANY female!!!

[Brian's Bride]

I also prefer the Ms. (being a divorcee not for much longer!). And Mrs. I think would be appropriate for the widowers.