It does surprise me: I teach women, my best students are women and I admire the women of Ademre. I think it stupid to assume all men think women are lesser. The woman who initially questioned if I refused to teach her because she was a woman asked me that, despite evidence to the contrary saying otherwise. That's what makes your reaction and her's stupid.
Not because she's a woman, not because you're a woman. I think men are also stupid. Ask my Re'lar, ask Roland Deschain.