Dear very young lady [Meditate on exercise … no, not on nude swimming, Kristin Gehring’s Big Week, Jan. 9], I turn 76 the end of this month.
We swam in the nude through college, except for life-saving, which was the only mixed-sex physical education class offered. I would have said co-ed, but back then co-ed referred to an individual who came to college seeking a Mrs. Degree. Most of them succeeded.
In my youth, I recall a problem in the U.S. Senate. The senators had a swimming pool where they swam nude and some adjustment had to be made when women invaded the senate. I believe that it was special hours for women, suits optional.
In the Navy it was the same. The few women knew where not to go. Things are different now.
Lewis Carmichael
Oak Park