I can relate to this. My last boss was a lady and the cliques she had were a pain in the butt. If you were not from the “in” crowd, you were toast.
Four weeks ago, I accepted a new job (with higher pay and bennies) and came into her office to give my two weeks notice. The look on her face was one not to forget. :)
To give you an idea of the sense of dread, a lot of mornings I crossed the parking lot half hoping a heart attack would drop me so I wouldn't have to face the evil incarnate. Her craziness would not be tolerated where I am. I saw the normal groups with normal supervisors and it got depressing seeing my situation.
I am happy for you and glad to know that a PHB-ette out there has one less person to oppress.
I went through the clique thing and hated it. If you were in the clique, you really had nothing to worry about. If not, it didn't matter. The main clique theme was "girl power!" to the nth degree.
On one of my last days there, I paid a visit to an admin type to turn in a time sheet. She was happy for me. At the time she remarked that I worked for an "evil woman." Looking back, she was right. Sadly somehow, nothing bad will probably happen to her at her position. I normally don't wish ill will on anyone but I hope she gets cut, loses everything, and kicked to the street with her whole dysfunctional family.