Relief in the Capitol
The United States Capitol (Jan. 23, 2007) Credit: GETTY IMAGES
Women in the House have waited a long time for a convenient place to go. Finally, the 72 female representatives have a restroom near the floor of the House of Representatives' chamber to call their own. There has long been a men's room right off the floor.
But for congresswomen is wasn't so easy. They have had to walk through the Capitol to the Lindy Claiborne Boggs Congressional Women's Reading Room to reach a ladies room. Now at the direction of Speaker John Boehner, a space previously occupied by the Office of the Parliamentarian has been converted for their use, an incredible 131 years after Rep. Jeannette Pickering Rankin (R-Mont.) became the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress.
In a small triumph for equal treatment, now all of those who have to go won't have to go so far.
