“Even if a woman knows all of Shas, it means nothing. It is her husband’s learning that counts.” (his biography I think?)
Women are not Chayiv in Limud Hatorah, so them “knowing” Shas is not their point. This has nothing to do with “Kol Kevodah”, intelligence or the ability to drink tea. Knowing Shach/Taz on the other hand is a Mitzva D’oraysah even for women.
That being said, the Rambam holds women get Schar for Limud HaTorah, so I imagine the statement of “means nothing” was only hyperbole, as she certainly gets schar.
Rambam Talmud Torah 1:16
???? ????? ????, ?? ?? ???; ??? ???? ???? ????, ???? ??? ???????, ??? ????? ??? ????? ????? ????, ??? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ????. ??? ?? ?? ??? ?? ???, ???? ????? ??? ???? ??? ?? ??? ????: ???? ???? ?????, ??? ???? ?????? ??????, ??? ??????? ???? ???? ????? ????, ??? ?????? ????.
To the OP: I don’t think anyone is saying the women only deserve schar for being in a supportive role. If it did, then their actions would not matter for good or evil, and that would be Kefirah.