1. Who made up the inyan that women shouldn't say a"y within earshot of men?

2. The Tur says someone can opt to say the berachah of al netilat yadayim till he gets to shul. Does he mean you wash at home and delay the berachah till later, or does he assume a second washing at shul? I very strongly suspect the former.

1) for some reason I don't usually hear about these things until I get to H.com...

2) yes it means wash at home and "delay" the beracha until later.However, as some like the MA note this is only if you go immediately after you wash your hands to shul and say the berochos, but you cannot make a hefesek between the washing and blessing even with learning or saying other prayers.