I think you’re on thin ice with the “Secretary” thing.
Notice, she is addressed as “Secretary” Clinton, but NOT “Secretary of State” Clinton. I.e., she is called by the “rank” she attained, but not by the full title, because the actual office is now occupied by another person.
To put it another way, she is “Secretary Clinton,” but she is “former Secretary of State Clinton.”
Sounds good. Thanks for the clarification.
But, for what it’s worth:
http://www.formsofaddress.info/former.html#128
” Former officials who hold a position of which there is more than one at a time — retired judges, retired ambassadors, retired generals, retired senators, retired bishops etc. — use their “title” in every situation for the rest of their lives.
But officials of which there there is only one at a time (The Governor, The President of the United States, The Speaker of the House, The Secretary of State, The Surgeon General ...) don’t continue use of their former title.
They use what they were entitled before taking the one-at-a-time position. E.g., Dwight Eisenhower in retirement went back to General Eisenhower. He was no longer The President”.
Same with Colin Powell ... he’s no longer addresses as “Secretary” ... he’s General Powell. ...”