"You're absolutely right, Kathleen," Ava began, her voice carrying clearly through the dining room. "Reputation does matter tremendously."

She turned to face the room, making eye contact with as many women as possible.

"So let me share my reputation with all of you. Yes, I was married to Ethan McQueen for five years. During those five years, I was dismissed, belittled, and treated as an inconvenience by a man who never bothered to learn who I really was."

Gloria Holbrook leaned ...