Sue, that is crazy!! Even 50 years ago. Although I should be surprised since I experienced a sort of gender discrimination when I married the first time in 1976. My family name was ending with my generation because my uncle was a priest and my father had 4 daughters. I wanted to keep the name alive and chose not to change it after marrying. That's when I faced discrimination. My husband and I couldn't get a joint bank account or have insurance polices in both our names because, although we were married, I had a different last name. A marriage certificate was worthless to every bank and insurance company we shopped. I finally caved and changed my name.

And, there is still last name discrimination - at least, here in Florida. When you divorce, a woman can revert to her maiden name with no additional costs but when your husband passes you have to pay to retrieve your maiden name. My first husband and I were separated when he passed following surgery. We never had the opportunity to divorce. Even so, to revert to my maiden name would cost $750 in filing fees with the court. That's outrageous! Once you are no longer married, no matter the reason, a woman should be able to return to her birthname if she so desires without spending a hunk of money.