In Battle to Use ‘Ms.,’ Gloria Steinem Had to Fight The New York Times

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-04T09:05:46.283Z • Permanent link

Gloria Steinem, the renowned American journalist and feminist activist, engaged in a high-stakes battle with The New York Times in the 1970s over the use of the honorific title "Ms." Steinem, who had been writing for the publication since 1968, began to press the newspaper's executive editor, Max Beloff, to use the "Ms." title instead of "Miss" or "Mrs." The use of "Ms." was seen as a more inclusive and neutral option, reflecting the changing social landscape of the time.

Steinem's efforts to bring about change were not without opposition, however. Beloff and other executives at the newspaper were hesitant to adopt the new title, citing concerns about tradition and consistency. The exchange of letters between Steinem and Beloff was a public affair, with Steinem publishing an open letter in the magazine Ms. in 1972, highlighting the issue and pushing for greater inclusivity. The letter sparked a national debate about the use of honorific titles and their impact on women's rights.

The controversy surrounding the use of "Ms." was not limited to The New York Times, however. Steinem's efforts to promote the title as a symbol of feminist solidarity and inclusivity were part of a broader movement to challenge patriarchal norms and promote social change. Steinem's work with the Ms. magazine, which she co-founded in 1971, helped to galvanize the women's liberation movement and inspire a new generation of feminist activists.

The battle over the use of "Ms." has significant implications for the Data Sources domain, particularly for research communities and institutions that rely on accurate and inclusive language. The use of honorific titles can have a profound impact on the way data is collected, analyzed, and presented, with far-reaching consequences for fields such as sociology, psychology, and economics. Companies that rely on data-driven decision-making, such as market research firms and financial institutions, must ensure that their language and terminology are inclusive and respectful of diverse groups.

The impact of the "Ms." controversy can be seen in the way that research institutions and companies approach issues such as data collection and analysis. For example, the National Center for Education Statistics, which is responsible for collecting and analyzing data on education outcomes, has implemented policies to ensure that its language and terminology are inclusive and respectful of diverse groups. Similarly, companies such as Google and Amazon have taken steps to promote diversity and inclusion in their data collection and analysis practices.

The battle over the use of "Ms." is part of a larger pattern of social and cultural change that has been unfolding in the United States since the 1960s. The women's liberation movement, which emerged in the late 1960s, sought to challenge patriarchal norms and promote greater equality and inclusivity for women. The use of honorific titles such as "Ms." was seen as a key part of this movement, reflecting a desire to challenge traditional gender roles and promote greater respect and inclusivity.