Ladies

An incoming Mass school superintendent revealed that his job offer was rescinded prior to his start date after he addressed two women on the schools' committee as "ladies" in an email. Vito Perrone was offered the position as the head of East Hampton Schools on March 23, but was notified that the job offer has been withdrawn over his choice of salutation in and email to the chairperson and executive assistant, both female, who reportedly interpreted his, "ladies" greeting as a "microaggression" the Daily Hampshire Gazette reported. My question is, how should he have addressed them. Is it no longer proper to open the meeting by saying, Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen.