Bathroom Politics: Preserving the Sanctity of the 'Ladies' Room'

In the 1950s the Ladies' Room was a place of refuge, a wall-papered lounge with a couch, polished mirrors, fresh flowers, and often an attendant armed with fresh towels, perfume, and mints. As men have always suspected, we didn't go there just to use the facilities; the Ladies' Room was a safe gathering place.

We went there to talk, to primp,  to smoke, …