Norma Born's Favorite Column, 2012 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop

Norma Born, who has served as Erma and Bill Bombeck's secretary since 1980, reads her favorite Erma Bombeck column, "Best Boss Knows How to Laugh," at the 2012 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop at the University of Dayton.

"You've heard from the Bombecks. Now you get to hear from the help," Norma quips. "I don't have to tell you why I chose my selection. It will be obvious right away."

An excerpt from the May 27, 1982, column: "For the last couple of years, Manpower Inc. has conducted a poll among secretaries to pick the ideal boss. The results have been the same for a couple of years: Alan Alda, Phil Donahue, President Reagan, Dan Rather and myself. I can't figure out why I'm so far down on the list. Surely not sexism. I make coffee for my secretary, Norma, I sharpen her pencils, laugh at all her jokes and when a teacher calls and wants to talk with her, I tell them she's not here."

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