I started to agree with you (my first initial reaction while reading this article was "Huh, typical 'I don't do what's easy and became an entrepreneur and now I'm semi successful' story"). But what does make it different that is that women don't usually go this route, whereas it might seem more normal for a man. So it's worth heralding someone who is technically a minority for doing something difficult. I don't see it as discrimination, rather, making it an example for more women to follow.
Of course, I am a woman, so my viewpoint may be skewed.
Completely agree with you, need more role models in that area. My point was that, the fact that her appearance was predominantly pushed on her personal web page, may send the wrong message, i.e. you have to be intelligent and beautiful/sexy or something to be featured in NYT, not that there's anything wrong with a beautiful entrepreneur woman, but that shouldn't be the first thing that is pushed on you.
There are awesome hacker role models, such as Leah Buechley, that can be covered. HN recently had an excellent discussion on exactly this topic: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1430281
Ugh, yes. I'll admit that since I've quit my day job and started building my own company, I've also started to really focus on my diet and my appearance, since there is a chance that people might pay more attention to me if I fit the standard of beauty. I love getting healthier as well, but it does kind of suck to have that message pushed on my brain.
Of course, I am a woman, so my viewpoint may be skewed.