Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 16, 1993 TAG: 9303160351
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ANITA L. BEVINS-KERNAN
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
HYPHEN HASSLES
THE RECENT attention paid to women's last names seems pretty hilarious to me. After all, I've used a "nontraditional" last name since my marriage seven years ago, and I've gotten no headlines.What seems so unusual to some people - but normal to me - is the hyphenated combo of my maiden and married surnames. Hypothetically, I'm Mrs. Smith-Jones.
But I'm not a stickler about it.
Socially, I use my husband's last name. It saves my friends the trouble of addressing cards to Mr. Jones and Mrs. Smith-Jones.
Professionally, I use Ms. Smith. It's the name I started my career with, and the one I prefer.
Legally, I am Mrs. Smith-Jones. But don't tell any government agencies. So far, this form of name has been a huge mystery for the government, doctors, hairdressers and filing clerks everywhere.
Even the Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles insists that I really don't know my own name. Despite repeated attempts to straighten out the misunderstanding, the DMV is convinced that my maiden name is now my middle name, my husband's surname is now my surname, and my middle name sprouted legs and left town completely.
Ditto my doctor, hairstylist and even some previous employers.
Confusing? Stick with me, pal, it gets even better.
The Internal Revenue Service has acknowledged my correct name. But I can't really commend the tax collectors because they have extended my name to my husband. He is known to the IRS as Mr. Smith-Jones. Ha-ha! It really is just a little bit funny.
Credit-card companies just ignore my married name, and junk mail arrives daily addressed to Mrs. Smith. Married title, maiden name. New twist.
One office worker at my eye-doctor's place knows the proper way to address me and how to file my chart. Under "S," right? What a novel approach. The problem is that no one else can find my chart if she's out of the office. Automatically, they search under "J." Some sort of selective perception.
Since people aren't real comfortable with hyphenated names, they often just shorten my name. Kind of like calling Sue Morrison, Sue Son, if you ask me.
So, I for one am a bit grateful to Hillary Rodham Clinton and Marilyn Tucker Quayle for educating America on the use of nontraditional surnames.
Yeah, I'm sure some people from the old school are criticizing them and me for not drowning our identities when we took the marital plunge. Sorry, but I'm not changing my name for you.
Besides, there is no one to carry on my family name when my generation is gone. So why can't I give a little more mileage to my heritage?
I don't recall Farrah Fawcett-Majors' complaining that no one could get her name right. Why do you think that is?
Anita Lynne Bevins- Kernan, of Roanoke, says it's OK to call her Anita.