Is it appropriate to address the first lady Mrs. Michelle Obama as The Honorable?
— Anne Howe
Dear Ms. Howe:
No.
Officials elected to office are recognized by the use of the courtesy title The Honorable.
Actually First Lady is not traditionally used as a title or honorific for the wife of the President of the United States as it is in some church congregations. She is addressed directly as Mrs. Obama and identified (as if you need to identify her to anyone!) as First Lady of the United States.
If you were to introduce her to another person you would say
Mrs. Obama may I present ….
If you were asked to introduce her from a podium prior to her speech you would say:
May I present Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States of America
See also the page on this site where I give the forms for addressing a letter and salutation to a Spouse of the President of the United States.
— Robert Hickey www.formsofaddress.info
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