Call Me Madame. It Doesn’t Bother Me. It’s My Due

Paris. Photo: Micheline Maynard

When I visited France for the first time at 16, I was called mademoiselle. When I returned at 19, I had become madame. That was just fine.

Being called madame meant that I could take my place with women who mattered in French society. Teachers, shop owners, the directors of city departments.