Stephanie Coontz : In 1971 she watched as a man took credit for a woman 's idea at a meeting . She says a book says high - level women in Obama 's White House complained of being marginalized . But reports say Obama met with them to fix problem , she says ; powerful women are no longer rare . Coontz : Women still thwart Obama ; smart women step in , as Obama apparently did .
Stephanie Coontz : In 1971 she watched as a man took credit for a woman 's idea at a meeting . She says a book says high-level women in Obama 's White House complained of being marginalized . But reports say Obama met with them to fix problem , she says ; powerful women are no longer rare . Coontz : Stereotypes still thwart progress ; smart bosses step in , as Obama apparently did .