memyself said:
"It wasn't any kind of a public issue, though, and, strange to say, the daughters and granddaughters of those women embraced mainstream fashion with a vengeance. Give this thing some time ..."

Absolutely! We can't simply legislate every change of behaviour into or out of existence. Some things happen of their own volition, given enough time and the right circumstances. It may take generations, but when it happens naturally, that is the most real and lasting change of all. Legislation CAN be the cherry on the cake for a change that is already a practical fact on the ground.