Art of Classiness

Episode Notes

Why do so many women still change their last names when they get married — and what does it really cost? In this Women’s History Month episode, Robin and Deborah trace the surprising origins of the tradition (from medieval coverture laws that erased a woman’s legal identity) all the way to today’s debates around passports, voting rights, and the proposed SAVE Act.

We explore the emotional, professional, and bureaucratic hurdles women face when changing (or keeping) their names, share powerful historic stories of rebellion (like Lucy Stone), and discuss how modern politics could create new barriers for millions of married women. Whether you kept your name, changed it, or are somewhere in between — this episode is a thoughtful, eye-opening look at identity, tradition, and power.