The Uterus Club

During my entire career - I've always suspected that men felt there was a secret Uterus Club that all women belonged to.

As a young manager, I was often brought in to help "coach" the younger women in our office. Even if they were managed by someone else - even if I had barely met the person, I'd get a call from my boss, "Julie, please meet with Mary and talk to her about her clothes." Or, "Julie, Joan has been having problems getting along with John, please meet with her to find out what is happening."

On the one hand, it was a bit flattering to think that I had the capabilities to resolve. But on the other, it was awkward to meet with someone I barely knew, call her into my office, and then start counseling her on the choice of clothing - or asking her personal questions about a problem she might be having with a co-worker. I always agreed with the comments I was being asked to deliver, but wondered why the fully capable (and more senior) men in my office couldn't have these conversations.

I'd say to my girlfriends when relating the stories - Do they think there's some sort of Uterus Club where all women are able to gather together and tell each other these things? Since we share the sisterhood of the uterus am I somehow more qualified to talk to them. After several years and getting very comfortable with my boss I once told him - I'm going to have a hysterectomy so that you'll stop calling me to have these awkward conversations with the women in our office. That actually helped.

In the current Presidential election - there has been a lot of discussion about the "woman vote" and whether Hillary supporters would be able to shift to Obama. I was speaking to a friend of mine who was having a hard time letting go of the dream of a woman at the top of a ticket and shifting her vote. I told her - Girl, you got to start voting with your cojones and not your uterus.

Now, John McCain has sealed it for me - you guys really do think there's a Uterus Club, don't you?