New and events of the Philadelphia Bar Asso.
Issue link: https://thephiladelphialawyer.epubxp.com/i/434516
the philadelphia lawyer Winter 2015 41 the bar. After an exchange of several letters, drafted by me with Bob's help, we received a letter in July 1970, from the Marriott's attorney who, after referring to the original incident as a "misunderstanding," informed us that the hotel realized that it "must keep up with the times," and that any previous policy that would have inhibited my freedom to circulate through all the facilities of the hotel was no longer in effect. The use of the word "misunderstanding" was certainly a mischaracterization. Marriott understood full well that women not escorted by men were being perceived as possible prostitutes and clearly were not welcome at its hotels. The policy of the hotel was changed nationwide and a footnote to this incident is somewhat amusing. At that time I was a trial attorney for the Department of Agriculture. I tried antitrust and unfair trade practice cases against companies and others in the livestock industry. Periodically I traveled to other parts of the country to try a case. In the fall of 1970, I went to Atlanta and after spending a long day preparing witnesses, we went to the Marriott for dinner. One of the witnesses told us his brother-in-law was the manager of the Windjammer Lounge at the hotel and we would get VIP treatment. We were indeed treated well (drinks on the house) and when I noted to the manager that it seemed to be a popular place to dine, he replied, "Oh, yes, it has really been hopping for the last few months. Some dames in Philadelphia opened up the bar to women and we are now packed every night." I decided not to volunteer that I was one of those "dames." Dona Kahn (donakahn@gmail.com) practices employment law and mediation in New York. "Oh, yes, it has really been hopping for the last few months. Some dames in Philadelphia opened up the bar to women and we are now packed every night."