Inspired by the nature of online comments opposing the program, more than 50 people who support Columbia Association's women-only swim times came to the CA board meeting Tuesday, Nov. 22, in a show of solidarity.
The program started in October and will conclude its trial run at the end of January. It is being held at the Columbia Swim Center in Wilde Lake between 12:30 and 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays — a time when the facility has few people and when the pool being used is normally closed.
When Shehlla Khan's husband became ill, it fell on her to take their three children to the pool. But for Khan, who is Muslim, the task was difficult.
The Columbia resident said she was concerned about people watching her swim in the conservative, cover-all dress required by Islamic dress codes, and thinking: "What's wrong? Why can't you take it off?"