Acting like Dorothy

Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, that is.

A story in the ABA Journal online today says women lawyers too often act like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz by failing to ask for something. Dorothy failed to ask the Wizard for something for herself, and today's women lawyers fail to ask for credit, reward, or recognition. The story quotes a blot post by Patricia Gillette, a partner at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, who gives this advice.

[W]omen need to take a more active role in managing and advancing their careers, in part by courting clients, socializing with firm leaders, touting their capabilities and pressuring firms to expand leadership opportunities for women.

Generally good advice, but I think it's easier said than done and self-promoting women can be judged pretty harshly for such behavior. Somehow, its just not as "becoming a lady." Plus, why do women have to ask for credit or recognition? Shouldn't those in a position to give the recognition do so without it being sought? Do men have to seek or demand such recognition?