Let the girls in
As a practicing attorney I spent many, many lunches and dinners in the Grant Grill. On June 17, 1969 I received a call from Vern Shipp, the then owner of the U.S. grant Hotel. He reminded me of the policy that women were not admitted to the Grant Grill until after 3 p.m. and then stated that he had heard that a group of women lawyers were going to show up at noon and seek admittance. He had heard that they were to be accompanied by a television crew and asked what he should do. My legal advice was to save a booth and when they came welcome them and act as if the rule didn’t exist (which by then, by law, was illegal). The women and TV crew showed up at noon were promptly and politely served and a confrontation avoided. From that time on women were welcome whenever the Grant Grill was open. Today a plaque memorizing the event hangs over the reception podium.
Miles Harvey, who retired from Luce Forward Hamilton & Scripps in 1990 after completing 30 years with the firm.
