The Ministry on Racism program and Friends General Conference (FGC) recognize that the use of titles reflects a complex tension within Quaker practice and values. This page explains how the Ministry on Racism program and FGC approach this question and why.
How the Ministry on Racism Program and FGC Approach Titles
On Ministry on Racism pages and elsewhere on the FGC website, staff members strive to reference individuals in the way they prefer. For example, when someone has earned a doctoral degree and chooses to use that title, the Ministry on Racism program and FGC honor that choice. This title may represent decades of work overcoming barriers that should never have existed. Similarly, when someone prefers not to use titles, the Ministry on Racism program and FGC honor that choice as well.
The Ministry on Racism program and FGC recognize that this approach may not fully satisfy everyone. Some Friends (Quakers) see all titles as violations of Quaker testimony (statements about how Quakers practice their faith). Others see the rejection of titles as potentially dismissive of hard-won achievements. Therefore, the Ministry on Racism program and FGC invite Friends into continued discernment on this matter. Throughout this process, staff members center the dignity and self-determination of those whose names they invoke.
Why Names and Titles Matter
Remembering and using the name and form of address that individuals choose for themselves sends an important message. Specifically, it says, “I see and respect who you are and how you define your identity.” This practice can help restore dignity and self-worth. As a result, the Ministry on Racism program and FGC recognize that respecting how people wish to be addressed is itself an act of honoring their dignity.
The Ministry on Racism program and FGC hold these tensions thoughtfully by:
- Honoring the historical Quaker testimony against titles as a witness to equality
- Recognizing achievements: For many People of Color and women, earned titles represent hard-won accomplishments and tools of resistance against systemic oppression
- Respecting individual choice: Each person has the right to determine how they wish others to address them
The Historical Quaker Practice
Early Friends rejected the use of honorific titles such as Mr, Mrs, Lord, and Dr. They understood this practice as a testimony to equality before God. This refusal to use titles did not come from anti-authoritarian beliefs. Instead, it served as a rebuke against human pretense and ego.
This testimony emerged from a core Quaker conviction. Friends believed that all people stand equal in the eyes of God. Therefore, they felt that earthly distinctions of rank should not elevate some people above others. Learn more about Quaker testimonies and how Friends put their faith into practice.
Ongoing Discernment Among Friends
The question of whether to use titles remains a subject of ongoing discernment among Friends. In fact, even Quaker institutions deeply committed to Friends’ testimonies navigate this tension in complex ways.
For example, Earlham College uses academic titles and ranks “to be consistent with the practices of the academic world.” This example shows how Quaker organizations continue to wrestle with how to honor both the testimony of equality and the realities of participating in broader professional contexts.
Some Friends view the continued rejection of titles as essential to the testimonies of equality and simplicity. However, others recognize that in contemporary contexts, the meaning and function of titles have evolved. As a result, this traditional practice has become more complicated.
The Experience of Women and People of Color
For People of Color and women, the use of earned titles carries special significance. Historically, these groups faced systemic barriers in education and professional advancement. Therefore, using earned titles represents a reclaiming of dignity. It also recognizes achievements that society long denied them.
Throughout history, women and People of Color utilized education and professional credentials as tools to assert power. They used these achievements to resist oppression and transform their own lives. Furthermore, they worked to improve conditions for their communities.
Today, women and People of Color in academic and professional settings continue to face discrimination. For instance, others often hold them to different standards. People frequently question their competence in ways that white men do not experience. In this context, the use of earned titles serves as an affirmation of expertise and authority. Additionally, it counters ongoing patterns of marginalization and the presumption of incompetence.
An Invitation to Continued Reflection
The Ministry on Racism program and FGC invite all Friends to reflect on these questions.
- How can Quaker communities honor both the testimony of equality and the dignity of individuals?
- How can Friends recognize the different meanings that titles hold for different people?
The Ministry on Racism program and FGC welcome conversation on this topic. Please email the Ministry on Racism team at alician@fgcquaker.org or shainar@fgcquaker.org to share thoughts or to learn more about the Ministry on Racism program.