prevailed in automatically assigning the male gender to historical leaders rather than seriously considering the alternative.

Sadly, misogynistic, patriarchal viewpoints have ruled the world for centuries. Assumptions about human history, based on beliefs that only men are level headed or make good rulers, have certainly been predominant, drowning out any considerations to the contrary.

Science is supposed to be looking for answers to mysteries by asking questions without preconceived biases, documenting information discovered, and then following wherever the evidence leads.

It's perfectly fine to come up with questions, possible answers, and/or interesting ideas to study as long as the results include ALL of the evidence, not only the information that fits the preferred conclusion.