Oh my God, you're right. That's even worse. I suppose it could be less sheer sexism than a case of a reporter who's unfamiliar with recent science fiction beyond movie blockbusters and bestsellers like "The Martian," and thus genuinely believes Weir is being daringly innovative by opting for a female protagonist. But you'd think that somebody on the *Smithsonian* editorial staff would have at least questioned the 1950's-ish phrase "lady lead."