Court Barber Draws the Line

Court Barber Draws the line John Shaw is the last remnant of the Supreme Court’s 191-year history as a male• only institution. Shaw is the court’s barber. There is no beauty parlor and no beautician. But, asked today if he could cut future Justice Sandra O’Connor’s hair, he replied, “Yes, sir.” If she wants her hair done more elaborately, however, she will have to go elsewhere. “I don’t do permanents,” Shaw said. The most important indicator of maleness at the court was put to an end at 3 p.m. last Nov 14. That is when the court decided, after a secret discussion, to drop all refer• ences in opinions and other official orders to “Mr. Justice.” The public first became aware of the change on the following Monday, when the court issued an opinion in the case of Dennis v. Sparks, writ• ten by “Justice White.” The change reportedly was adopted in anticipation that, someday, a woman would be joining the brethren. Although the court has a gymnasium, it has not been segregated by sex. Women employers of the court have been having an exercise class there, and they have access to the showers. The bathrooms in the individual justices’ chambers are configured for unisex use. – Lyle Denniston