I don't think the problem is asking for better, it's when you're shot down for asking.  It happened to me too many times, unfortunately.  I was told once after asking for an overdue promotion that I was promised, oh, I need you as an admin...then they hire someone's family friend when I was far more qualified to do the job.  That's discouraging.  I know admins who left the field because they were tired of getting shot down when asking for basic things-raises, promotions, respect.  Yes, I do think admins are making a lot of inroads, but the harder part is changing these well-ingrained ideas about admins that employers still hold.  It's an uphill battle.  And I always say, if you can't change the company culture, change your company.  It make take you a few tries, but you have to keep trying until you find the perfect admin job.