Those who claim it either have malicious intentions or demonstrate utter ignorance of the Ancient world.
Women were pretty much segregated in most of the pre-Christian societies. In Athene, for instance, women from good families weren't expected to leave their homes unless accompanied by a male relative. Poor women leaving their homes by necessity was seen as a problem. Yet, it doesn't mean they were unimportant. It means that they had their own female sphere of influence as described here:
Women were responsible for ensuring that food was prepared, supplies were maintained, and that servants or slaves efficiently carried out their tasks.
In wealthier households, although slaves performed much of the manual labor, the mistress of the house still managed and supervised their work.
As a result, the smooth functioning of the home depended on the woman’s ability to manage resources and labor effectively.
Weaving also held a central place in the daily routine of Athenian women, who were expected to produce clothing and textiles for their household.
Women spent long hours at the loom, weaving garments for their family members, a practice seen as a reflection of their diligence and moral virtue.
Additionally, the production of cloth had economic value, as surplus textiles could be sold or used in trade.
As a result, weaving became one of the few ways in which women directly contributed to the economic stability of their families.
However, despite their confinement to the private sphere, Athenian women influenced public life indirectly through their roles in managing the household and raising future citizens.
By raising sons who would later serve in the Assembly and perform military duties, women contributed to the political future of the city.
That is exactly what the Proverbs 31 passage describes. And btw, speaking about "selling". Most of the trade at this period was natural exchange, money was hardly used. Textiles would often be exchanged for luxury goods.
And now about that field (no, the lady wasn't a real estate agent):
In wealthier families, wives often had additional responsibilities, including overseeing agricultural production and handling the household’s finances.
I doubt those who tell women to get a job outside home because "Proverbs 31 lady did" would really enjoy living in that type of society (as opposed to a feminist caricature of it):
Public spaces, particularly those connected to politics and intellectual life, were reserved for men.
As a result, women rarely appeared in public, except during religious festivals or funerary rites, which allowed them to step briefly outside their prescribed private roles.
By managing your household well and taking wise financial decisions (a penny saved is a penny earned) you are following in the footsteps of the Proverbs 31 lady much better than by mixing with strange men in the modern workplace or even working from home for a different boss than your own husband.
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