YC and PG have a history of sexism and actively discriminating against women (see http://www.thewire.com/technology/2013/12/paul-graham-revives-sexism-tech-talk

YC and PG have a history of sexism and actively discriminating against women (see http://www.thewire.com/technology/2013/12/paul-graham-revives-sexism-tech-talk/356541/ http://www.thewire.com/technology/2013/12/paul-graham-revive...). For this reason, yes, it is important to mention that Alex is a woman, so as to make potential female women less scared of approaching YC. In a perfect world it wouldn't be necessary, but because the climate in the industry is one of harassment against every woman, it is necessary to point out successful examples of females in tech and in YC.