When addressing a woman who is divorced, it is important to remain respectful and considerate of her individual preferences. Generally, there are several ways you can address her depending on the context:
1. Use her title and name: The most neutral and respectful way to address any woman is by using her full name or first name. If you know her well, addressing her by her first name is usually appropriate. If you don’t know her well or are in a formal setting, you might use her last name with a title like “Ms.” followed by her last name (e.g., Ms. Smith).
2. Avoid focusing on her marital status: Her being divorced doesn’t need to be part of how you address her unless she has chosen to discuss it. “Ms.” is often used to avoid emphasizing whether she is married or divorced.
3. Context matters: If you’re in a casual or personal setting and you know the person prefers to be called a specific way (e.g., “Mrs.” or “Ms.”), then follow her lead. Some divorced women may still prefer “Mrs.” especially if they kept their ex-husband’s surname, while others may prefer “Ms.”.
4. Ask her preferences: If you’re unsure of how to address her, it’s perfectly okay to politely ask how she prefers to be addressed. For instance, you could say, “How would you like me to address you?” or “Do you prefer Ms. or Mrs.?”
Ultimately, the key is to be respectful, sensitive, and open to how she prefers to be addressed, regardless of her marital status.
