In my former life, I was President of a mining venture in Canada. It was a two-person venture in need of three (or more) and a candidate was invited to an interview to pitch why we should choose him.
The candidate and my business partner were acquainted with each other. They chatted for a few moments before sitting down with me. Before introductions could be made, the candidate looked at me quizzically and asked, "What are you doing here? Are you taking the minutes or something?"
"Sir, you are clearly off to a good start - you have just insulted the President".
Actually, it isn't funny. It happens to us women all the time, even in 2009. The assumption of being less than, worth less, worthless - afflict us at every turn and at every venture, forcing us to have to prove ourselves over and over again - making the respect of our colleagues very precious indeed. It comes so much harder to us after all.