Book excerpt: Modesty on the line in "The Summer of Death"

In 1936, a severe heatwave swept across America, causing over five thousand deaths. While most cities responded appropriately, Covington, Kentucky, took an unusual approach to address the heatwave – the arrest of women wearing revealing clothing.

A police officer named Elizabeth Cohran spearheaded this effort. Cohran, a female police officer, was tasked with protecting teenage girls and women from wearing too revealing outfits. This marked a rare occurrence at the time, as female police officers were uncommon.

Cohran believed that acknowledging shorts and halter tops as acceptable attire in appropriate settings but not on the streets was crucial. She had been campaigning against hot-weather garments since the previous year. However, not everyone in the community agreed with her approach. John Ames, acting secretary director of Cincinnati, disagreed with Cohran's interpretation of the law.

Cohran's actions were a reflection of her era, where masculinity and youth were highly valued. She likely believed that her strict dress code would shield young women from potential predators. Despite the controversy, the story of Elizabeth Cohran and her crusade against revealing clothing during the summer of death serves as a fascinating insight into the societal norms and gender roles of 1930s America.