To the Editor:

Maureen Dowd’s Feb. 24 column, “Pompom Girl for Feminism,” had the ring of truth regarding women’s access to executive roles.

While Sheryl Sandberg’s advice may pertain to a privileged subset of women with Ivy League educations, “leaning in” is no solution for the gender bias, inflexible work schedules and pay inequities that many working women still face.

When I first used the term “glass ceiling” in a speech in 1978, I wanted to point out the invisible yet powerful institutional barriers to advancement for women rather than blame them for their lack of progress. Sadly, in many industries these barriers remain in place today.

Ms. Sandberg has been fortunate in not having to deal with gender discrimination in her career. While her accomplishments are admirable, she still represents the female exception and not the norm in the American workplace.