Final answer:
The claim that all women were addressed as Mrs. or Ms. in Angelou's time is false; the title “Ms.” became popular in the 1970s. Also, the notion that women couldn't handle wartime burdens is false, as women often took on many roles typically held by men during wars. The statement in the question is false.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement suggesting that during the time period described in Maya Angelou's book, all women were addressed as Mrs. or Ms. is false. In fact, one of the lasting consequences of Gloria Steinem's magazine was the popularization of the title “Ms.” in the 1970s as a marriage-neutral alternative to “Miss” and “Mrs.” Women engaged with various roles during wartime, contrary to the statement that many women found themselves incapable of handling the burdens of war when their husbands and fathers went off to fight, which is also false. As history shows, women have taken on numerous roles, including working in factories, serving as nurses, and even working in jobs traditionally held by men, especially during times of war when male labor was scarce.
The popularization of “Ms.” addressed the difficulties married women faced in the workforce and the assumptions about unmarried women, reflecting changing attitudes towards gender roles and identities. These are crucial examples of the evolution of women's statuses throughout the 20th century, leading to a shift in how they were addressed and perceived both socially and professionally.