People are still hounding married women about their last names! Oh, what a wonderful world.
Abby Dyer is a meteorologist at an NBC affiliate in Missouri. She's married, but she uses her maiden name on-air — a totally normal and acceptable choice that isn't really anyone's business but Abby's. Many women choose to use their maiden names as their professional names (since it's the name they used before they were married).
One viewer, though, has some serious opinions about it. The anonymous person sent Abby a letter with questions and mean comments about why she still uses her maiden name.
"Are you ashamed of your husband or just got an obsession with your maiden name?" the anonymous troll wrote. The bully then went on to accuse Abby of wanting her viewers to think she's "hot" and "single." Umm, OK.
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Fortunately, Abby knew just how to deal with the troll. She shared the letter on Facebook and very politely tore it to pieces.
This is Abby Dyer. She works as the weatherwoman for KY 3, an NBC affiliate in Missouri. She's very good at her job.
She also happens to be married, which doesn't have anything to do with her work as a meteorologist, but nonetheless is true. It's pretty clear by the ring on her finger, but because Abby doesn't use her married name on-air, one viewer accused her of being "ashamed" of her husband.
"Are you married?" the anonymous writer began. "If so, why don't you use your married name instead of your maiden name? I notice Sarah Forhetz sure does, and so does Lisa Rose."
"Are you ashamed of your husband or just got an obsession with your maiden name?" the letter writer continued. "I know my husband would be irritated if I continued to use my maiden name. I bet the reason for this maiden name your obsessed with, is you want men to think you are a hot and single girl. Have a great single day. SINGLE GIRL."
First of all, WOW at this troll actually typing out this message and sending it in the mail. Super old school. She could have just left an angry comment.
But also, this letter is incredibly condescending and rude, and Abby was having none of it. She posted a photo of the letter along with her response on Facebook. Abby wrote:
“Dear anonymous, I would have liked the opportunity to respond to you privately, but you chose to not include your name or any return address so I’m posting this here in hopes this reaches you.”
“I am happily married. Most of my posts and commentary are about the weather – since that’s my job – and not my personal life. But you don’t have to look hard through my posts to find photos of my family that I have shared publicly with the world. You may also have noticed that I wear my wedding ring proudly every day.”
“I’m sorry you felt the need to write such a malicious note without ever considering I may have thought about this decision very carefully. You see, it is very easy for you to contact me… Anonymously. I don’t get that same luxury as I have a very public job.”
“Let’s all remember to be kind to each other and give each other a little grace.
"Best,
"MARRIED. GIRL."P.S. For the record, my husband And I made this decision together. He fully supports me and always has."
Boom! Perfect response.
Abby's post now has 2,500 comments. Most of them are very much in support of her decision and shocked at the letter writer's gall.
One coworker even chimed in to add that she also uses her maiden name on-air and that it's super common to do so, since the troll tried to compare Abby to her coworkers.
Abby spoke with Today about her decision to use her maiden name on-air. She and her husband, Joseph, have been married since 2016.
"The decision was personal to me,'' Abby said. "Not just because anchors use their name for continuity for their career, but for me it was really personal."
She explained, "At the time my husband had a dangerous public job. We did it mainly for safety so they couldn't connect the dots."
Abby believes that women should be able to freely choose whether to use their maiden or married names.
"In the letter it calls out a few co-workers who did change their names,'' she said. "It's like, we can both be right! This decision was for me."
As for husband Joseph, he didn't take the letter too seriously, though he did encourage Abby to speak her mind.
"He thought it was hilarious,'' Abby said. "He encouraged me to make the post because on the off chance that the writer sees it, I want them to know it did sting a little."
Hopefully, this letter writer learns her lesson — or at least stops harassing other women.
