The photo of Sarah Palin in her running shorts on Newsweek's cover has certainly stirred up a lot of  well-deserved chatter about sexism lately.  As a now invisible member of the “mommy with kids" set, I can’t say that I get that kind of attention with much regularity any more.  But that wasn't always the case.

When I was a young twenty-something legal associate, I was sized up in a meeting by a piggish male client who was facing a string of sexual harassment claims against him.  The oaf turned to the male law partner on the case and pointing to me said, “So, is she here to show the jury that I can behave myself around attractive women?”  Without blinking, the partner said, “No, Jim.  She is one of your lawyers and with some incredible good luck she will win this case for you.”  

And I did.

Whether its in a courtroom or on a magazine cover, sexism exists.  But that isn't an excuse for quitting, Governor Palin.