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What’s in a name? Patriarchal social norms, according to a new Pew Research survey that came out this morning. Pew reports that although the number of women keeping their own last names when they marry is on the rise, 79% of women still stick with tradition and adopt their husbands’ surnames.
The researchers did not inquire about those who choose to keep their surname professionally and change it for family and personal interactions, nor did they ask about the motivations behind last-name decisions—which can be as varied and complex as humans themselves. They did find that trends could change in coming years: Just 33% of single women surveyed said they would change their name if or when they marry.
As Forbes senior contributor Kim Elsesser reports, this tradition is deeply rooted in history, when women had few rights and were prohibited from owning property. This history goes all the way back to the 11th century, and you have to fast-forward to 1855 to find the first American woman to retain her surname: Lucy Stone. “A wife should no more take her husband’s name than he should hers,” Stone wrote at the time. “My name is my identity and must not be lost.”
Cheers to that!
Maggie
P.S.: Later tonight, 19-year-old tennis phenom Coco Gauff will play in the U.S. Open Semifinals against the 10th-seeded Karolina Muchova. Gauff is the first American teenager to reach the semifinals since Serena Williams in 2001—a player Gauff considers one of her idols. We’ll certainly be watching!
Featured Forbes Profile: How Two Foundations Plan To Boost The Number Of Latino And Latina VCs
Individuals of Latin American heritage comprise one of the fastest growing populations in the United States and are also one of the most successful entrepreneurial communities in North America. Nonetheless, Latinx individuals make up less than 5% of U.S.-based venture capital investment partners. Meet the foundations seeking to change these statistics.
ICYMI: News Of The Week
Rosalind “Roz” Brewer stepped down as chief executive officer of Walgreens Boots Alliance effective immediately on Friday amid the drugstore giant’s flagging share price and a multibillion transformation to provide more healthcare services. A stalwart of the Forbes list of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women, Brewer became the only Black female CEO in the entire S&P 500 when she was appointed to the role in 2021.
Mexico’s Supreme Court decriminalized abortion procedures across the country Wednesday, the latest in a trend of easing restrictions on abortion across Latin America. The court explained that laws penalizing abortion “violate the human rights of women and people with the capacity to be pregnant.”
The two richest members of the Kardashian-Jenner clan are reportedly in talks to buy back the stakes of the successful makeup and skin care lines—Kylie Cosmetics and SKKN by Kim—they sold to Coty Inc. in 2020 for $600 million and $200 million, respectively.
Tickets for the Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour movie went on sale last week and earned $26 million in single-day ticket sales at AMC Theaters—a record for the company. Now, industry insiders are projecting that the film could open to $100 million (or more).
Monday marked the annual Labor Day holiday, and to note the occasion, the National Women’s Law Center released a report revealing that there are 21 million people working in the most underpaid, undervalued jobs in our country—and nearly two-thirds of these workers are women.
The Checklist
1. Go without your phone. Could you disconnect from your device for four whole days? Meet the entrepreneur who says yes, you can—and you’ll be better off for it.
2. Thrive in your first 100 days as CEO. The first few months in a new leadership role can be difficult, but establishing feedback channels, developing good boundaries and identifying organizational time drains are three strategies that can help you navigate the transition.
3. Let go of perfection and people-pleasing. Spending too much time satisfying the desires of other people can hamper your own creativity and growth. Here’s how you can break the cycle.
The Quiz
Scrambling to respond to increasing pressure from consumers and regulators, fast fashion retailers like Shein are turning to startups for help with which of the following merchandise-related issues?
- Ensuring clothing designs aren’t copied
- Proving their supply chain is free of forced labor
- Reducing their environmental footprint
- Inspiring customers to purchase smaller “hauls”
Check if you got it right here.
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